#1 STS-41-D fan

In honor of @nasa Artemis Art Show.

10 

Isn’t where the countdown begins. Years of dedicated learning, action, and setbacks tick by unnoticed in preparation.  But there’s so much action in a launch. They’re beautiful. I’m not that kind of artist. I hold my breath, listing everything that could go wrong. I choose Moonjoy.

9

Days I put my writing on hold to look up and enjoy happy headlines when I’d almost forgotten what those looked like or how they made me feel. I feel something I thought had been taken from me by SpaceX. I feel a sense of wonder and… is that… hope?

8

Rounds of editing, seeking perfection. They tell me it isn’t rocket science. I’m too well aware.

7

Years old when I decided to be a writer, leaving the dream of rocket science to every other kid on the planet. 

6

Th grade teacher who insisted arts and sciences don’t mix. One has value, the other is only a distraction. I’ve found myself happily distracted by science through my art and through the creative minds of others.

5

Books in this series, my life’s work. Am I reaching for the stars or is my head in the clouds? Can anyone dare to reach the stars without basking in the clouds?

4

Characters named after explorers in honor of their brilliance, bravery, and enduring love. My crew: Koch, Collins, Gus, and Carroll. Orion doesn’t count. But where would I be without his story? I couldn’t begin to guess. He brought me to my crew. 

3

Words, one poem. “Amaze. Amaze. Amaze.”  Science and art collide.

2

Nd iteration of a show about a spaceship brought me to the greatest muse I’ll ever have. I’d like to argue that fiction is the final frontier. But fiction, despite devoting my life to it, never felt like this.

1

Moon Joy June artists! Looking for a little inspiration? The prompt for this week is “Launch.” Here is a small collection of photos of the launch of the Artemis II mission, which took place on April 1, 2026. What followed was ten days of our Artemis astronauts circling the Moon, returning to Earth, and experiencing pure Moon joy all throughout.

"Artist's concept of a Soviet space shuttle approaching a manned space complex. (From Soviet Military Power 1985)."

Date: May 1, 1985

Neptune: Big Blue Giant