Locals react to US’s 10-day space flight

RUSSELLVILLE — Rocky Stone, former Russellville High School principal, called last week’s Artemis II launch a “milestone” in the United States’ space exploration efforts.

“We just launched the most powerful rocket ever built, and it went off flawlessly,” he said.

Stone, who taught astronomy during part of his time at RHS, said the launch rekindled memories of his skipping school to watch launches of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo eras.

“It really was exciting,” he said of the Artemis II launch on April 1. “I hope it generates that same excitement for young people today.”

Watching from home, he said the scale of last week’s launch was most impressive.

“That rocket is longer than a football field, and the flame coming out of it is almost twice that,” he said.

His wife, Ginger, said she remembers watching the original moon landing as a child.

“I was in about the fourth grade,” she said. “I remember watching it at home on our black-andwhite television with my family.”

At Russellville High, engineering teacher and rocketry team sponsor Gabe Willis said the Artemis II launch could spark more interest in space exploration.

“I thought it was amazing,” Willis said. “Finally going back to the moon, it’s long overdue.”

For Nicklaus Pounders, a Russellville High graduate now studying aerospace engineering at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, the launch reinforced his goals.

“It was amazing to watch,” Pounders said. “Right now is a really exciting time for aerospace. I’m looking forward to future missions and hope to contribute to later Artemis missions.”

Pounders, who hopes to work in propulsion within the space industry, said the return to the moon represents more than a single mission.

“It serves as a basis for the future,” he said. “It’s a reminder of what we’re capable of, and I believe it will help us get to Mars one day.”