From Apollo 11 to Artemis ll. From the Earth to the Moon
From NOW and NEXT by Dave Trafford
April 2, 2026 · 28 min
About this episode
This episode explores the historical significance of Apollo 11 while connecting it to the current Artemis II mission.
As Artemis II captures global attention, this episode of Now and Next takes a step back to revisit the moment that started it all—Apollo 11. Host Dave Trafford weaves together archival audio, historical context, and personal storytelling to explore how humanity first reached the Moon—and why it still matters today. From Jules Verne’s early vision to President Kennedy’s bold challenge, and from liftoff to landing, this episode relives the defining moments of Apollo 11. We also explore the risks, setbacks, and political realities behind the mission, and hear a remarkable firsthand story connecting one family directly to NASA’s early work and the original astronauts. As Artemis II begins its journey, this episode asks: what drives us to go back—and what does it say about where we’re headed next? #ArtemisII #Apollo11 #SpaceExploration #NASA #NowAndNext Chapters 00:00 – Introduction & Artemis II Context Dave Trafford sets the stage with the ongoing Artemis II mission and global attention around it. 02:55 – From Imagination to Mission Jules Verne’s vision and Kennedy’s call to reach the Moon. 04:19 – Apollo 11 Launch & Global Moment Walter Cronkite’s coverage and the historic…
People in this episode
Host: Dave Trafford
Guest: Frank Cohn
Topics covered
- space exploration
- Apollo 11
- Artemis II
- historical context
- personal storytelling
- political realities
Keywords
- Apollo 11
- Artemis II
- NASA
- space exploration
- Jules Verne
- President Kennedy
- Walter Cronkite
- Neil Armstrong
- Buzz Aldrin
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: NASA
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