NASA is preparing to go back to the Moon—again–or at least around it. And no, this is not an April Fools’ joke.

The last time humans walked on the Moon was in 1972. I was just a little person back then, so I don’t remember any of it—but I often wonder if I actually do remember, at least everyone sitting around the TV. 

Now, more than 50 years later, NASA is preparing for its next chapter.

Artemis II is set to carry Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen on a 10-day mission around the Moon and back. The spacecraft is preparing for launch from Kennedy Space Center, marking a major milestone in human space exploration.

I first read about this mission a week or two ago, but like many things, it slipped into the background—until recently.

While organizing some documents, I came across an article about my grandfather and his work as a physicist. That moment sent me down a path of deeper research—and reflection.

My Grandfather Worked at NASA

My grandfather rarely spoke about his work. As I’ve started researching his career, I now understand why. Much of what he did was rooted in physics and, at the time, likely confidential or highly sensitive.

So most of what I’ve learned has come from piecing things together.

He began working as a physicist in 1941, after getting an A.B. (aka BA) in Mathematics and Physics from Fisk University and a M.S. in Physics from University of Michigan. He became a director by 1945. That alone is remarkable—especially considering this was during the era of Jim Crow.

From 1945 to 1951, he served as Director of a Vibration and Flutter Division. He also gave annual lectures on topics such as aeroelasticity and structural dynamics in aircraft systems.

Even though he never talked about it, history fills in the gaps. During the 1940s, fields like vibration and flutter analysis—and aeroelasticity—were at the cutting edge of high-speed flight.

After getting my Master’s in Mathematics, my grandfather encouraged me to pursue a PhD in physics. I decided that a Master’s in Mathematics was enough.

Even though I never got a degree in Physics and my grandfather never really spoke about his work. I realize something about his contribution in the physics world..

Without the kinds of problems my grandfather was studying—how structures behave under stress, vibration, and extreme forces—rockets may never have survived the journey through Earth’s atmosphere… let alone reach the Moon. Now I have no clue if his work was used but I have to believe it helped physics advance.

In Conclusion

I plan to continue researching my grandfather’s work. There is so much more to uncover, and perhaps one day, I may even write a story inspired by “Hidden Figures.”

One thing I’ve already discovered is that his work extended beyond aerospace. He also contributed to a project focused on improving water systems in Africa—and even gave a speech at the United Nations.

It would have been nice to hear these stories directly from him. But even without that, I’m beginning to understand the legacy he left behind.

And somehow, NASA’s return to the Moon makes that legacy feel closer than ever.