Copy. Moon Joy
Moon Joy Meaning: The Feeling Only Space Exploration Can Bring
Moon joy [noun]: the feeling of intense happiness and excitement that only comes from a mission to the Moon.
It turns out, I have more in common with my father than I thought. My dad LOVES space and enjoys watching and reading all about it. One of his favourite films is Apollo 13. Up until now, I liked it and have seen it more than once, so that says something, I suppose. But having just witnessed in real time astronauts take off, orbit the moon, and splash down live, I am obsessed.
I feel like there was little fanfare around it until April 1st, when they left Earth. Not many people knew about it very far in advance. I was among those who were only vaguely aware of it. However, last year I read Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and just last month, I read Space by Tim Peake.
As well as the recent reading, I got the coolest review I've ever received for one of my products back in January. Someone in the USA bought my Love You To The Moon And Back greeting card on Etsy, and left me this review:
I’m sorry, what?! At that point, I had barely heard of Artemis 1 and wasn’t really aware at all that astronauts were preparing to go back so far into space and orbit the Moon. And my card was given to one of the astronauts about to launch for the Moon of Artemis 2!!
Why Space Exploration Still Matters Today
I wonder if all the chaos currently hogging the headlines has something to do with this, and the rise in AI-created content, such as "photos" and videos, has brought some scepticism into being. But I would venture to say that actually, space exploration is something that brings unity and joy, two things we need not for our mental well-being, but for our physical well-being as well.
I have found myself being very sceptical over the last few years, and for good reason - a lot of what we have been told turns out to be lies, or completely made up. And I don't want to believe what I am being told naively. I know that the only source of truth is God and his word, and so knowing it and treasuring it in my heart is the best antidote to what people in power are trying to make me believe.
So watching something so exciting, good, and pure was really good for my soul.
And honestly, it’s that same feeling I try to capture in my designs, whether it’s a reminder of love, hope, or something bigger than ourselves.
Browse all space-inspired cards and gifts.
I saw plenty of people online saying that the money could have been spent better elsewhere, but with respect, when is that ever done? It's not. Corruption, taxes, charities taking a large cut... actually, having something that unites us as humans, excites and delights us, and advances discoveries and science is possibly the best use of that money.
It has been shown that happiness and joy improve both physical and mental health and increase longevity.
Everyday Things You Use That Came From NASA
And there's more to it than space exploration - NASA creates things that it needs for its missions, and shares the innovations with the world for the betterment of humanity.
The tiny, high-quality camera inside smartphones exists partly because NASA needed compact imaging systems for space missions. Memory foam mattresses and pillows? They were originally designed to improve safety for astronauts during launch. Even scratch-resistant lenses on your glasses come from coatings developed to protect astronaut helmets.
In healthcare, infrared ear thermometers trace back to technology used to measure the temperature of stars. Portable water purification systems, now used in disaster relief and remote areas (those areas that people who are anti-Moon mission cite as locations where the money could be used), were first created to keep astronauts supplied with clean water in space.
Firefighters use heat-resistant suits inspired by space gear, no doubt saving hundreds of lives as they enter high-risk situations. The insulation that keeps your home warm in winter often comes from materials designed to protect spacecraft from extreme temperatures. Even cordless power tools, like drills, were refined thanks to NASA’s need for lightweight equipment on the Moon.
NASA actively ensures these innovations don’t stay in space. Through “spinoffs,” these technologies are adapted for everyday use, improving health, safety, and convenience worldwide.
A Front-Row Seat to Moon Joy: Launch, Orbit, and Splashdown
As I watched the launch (yes I stayed awake and watched it live), I was like a mum watching and praying for their safety – knowing it was happening, I couldn’t sleep soundly without knowing they’d got off okay.
On 5th April (my birthday, coincidentally!), Reid Wiseman waxed lyrical, unable to contain his excitement as he saw the moon up close: “You know I’m not one for hyperbole, but it’s the only thing I can come up with. Just seeing Tycho, there’s mountains to the North. You can see Copernicus, Reiner Gamma. It’s just everything from the training, but in three dimensions and absolutely unbelievable. This is incredible.”
The response from Jacki Mahaffey from Mission Control was “Copy. Moon joy!”
I was actually away for most of their flight, but I checked in regularly and was so encouraged to see that science and Christianity still coexist.
Later in the mission, Victor Glover shared the gospel right before entering a blackout in contact as they flew behind the moon. He said,
“Thank you to all of you for allowing us the immense privilege to be on this journey together. It's quite amazing. And as we go on this journey, thinking about the NASA mission to explore the unknown in air and space, to innovate for the benefit of humanity, and to inspire the world through discovery.
And as you've gone along on this journey with us, hopefully we're doing just those things.
And as we get close to the nearest point to the Moon and farthest point from Earth, as we continue to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos, I would like to remind you of one of the most important mysteries there is on Earth, and that's love.
Christ said, in response to what was the greatest command, that it was 'to love God with all that you are.' And he also, being a great teacher, said the second is equal to it, and that is 'to love your neighbour as yourself.' And so as we prepare to go out of radio communication, we're still going to feel your love from Earth. And to all of you down there on Earth, and around Earth, we love you from the moon.”
I have been inspired to create more around space, the joy of discovery, science and worshipping the God who created it all from nothing. I love the thought that there is a universe out there that He created purely for his own joy – no one will ever see the vast majority of it. And when they saw the moon up close, they could not contain their joy, amazement and worship of the creator God.
Again, I could not sleep the night of the splashdown and watched it live. What a relief to see them get back to earth safely. I am still in total awe that they can calculate their arrival time to the minute, days, weeks, and even months in advance! Sure enough, at 1:07GMT, the capsule splashed down into the Pacific with three tunnocks tea cake-like parachutes allowing them to drift down after hurtling 25,000 miles per hour just minutes before.
Stay tuned for more Moon joy here at And Hope Designs, always reflecting on how great our God is, and His handiwork, what we know and what we are just discovering is marvellous.
