A childhood fascination with space came full circle for NC State student August Spitz as he joined classmates Wednesday night to watch NASA launch Artemis II, the first human mission to the Moon in more than 50 years.
“I’ve been sort of obsessed with space for as long as I can remember,” Spitz said.
Spitz attended Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, as a child and later studied aerospace engineering at NC State, inspired in part by one of the astronauts on the mission.
“I found out that Christina Koch went to NC State, and after I learned that, I fell in love with the school and I committed,” he said.
Students gathered at the Talley Student Union to witness the historic moment. As the countdown reached its final seconds – “3, 2, 1” — cheers erupted on campus.
NASA’s 10-day mission will send four astronauts around the moon and back to Earth. Among them is Koch, an NC State alum who is making history as the first woman to travel farther into space than any woman before her.
“I’ve been waiting for Artemis II for years now, ever since the crew was announced,” Spitz said. “And I feel really special that I got to be on NC State’s campus where Christina Koch graduated while it launched.”
For many students, watching the launch from the same campus Koch once walked was a powerful reminder of what is possible.
“I would love to build rockets, but I really want to be an astronaut,” said student Kate Scheer.
Three-time NC State alum Koch’s achievements have opened doors for young women pursuing aerospace careers.
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“She broke open a lot of doors that I’m going to have an easier time getting through,” Scheer said.
Scheer, who grew up flying with her father, George Scheer, said the launch strengthened her resolve to aim even higher.
“So just one foot in front of the other until I land on the moon,” she said.
As students celebrated the milestone, many said Koch’s journey shows them not only how to reach for the stars, but how to stand among them.
