Millions watched in awe earlier this year as NASA's Artemis II crew completed a daring trip around the moon – but it seems not everyone was convinced. A viral video has captured the painfully awkward moment a conspiracy theorist accosted the astronauts on Capitol Hill.
Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen were confronted by an aggressive man who accused them of faking the moon mission. 'Stop lying! Stop acting! You all never went to space,' the man shouted as he filmed himself approaching the crew.
The befuddled crew simply stood in uncomfortable silence as the man berated them, apparently trying their best to pretend he wasn't there. The man continued: 'Follow Jesus! God's watching you all!' As Glover smiled and gave an uneasy wave, he went on: 'Stop lying to the public! Your psyop isn't working on millions of us! NASA's a joke!'
The Artemis II crew were hastily ushered away, yet the pursuing conspiracy theorist continued to hurl abuse, adding: 'Repent before God, y'all! I see through your lies! I know you never went to space! God's watching you all!'
The tense encounter was reminiscent of a similar run-in between Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin and the moon-landing denier Bart Sibrel in 2002. Mr Aldrin, who was 72 at the time, ended that particular argument by punching Mr Sibrel in the face. However, the Artemis II crew managed to keep cooler heads during their altercation with the conspiracy theorist.
On X, space fans praised the astronauts' composure, jokingly pointing out Christina Koch's rather confused expression. One commenter wrote: 'Christina was too stunned to speak by this level of stupidness.' Another added: 'She had to smile through that VEEERY awkward moment.' And another bluntly wrote: 'They're so polite, I'd smack him in the face.'
While the vast majority of social media users were shocked by the wild claims about fake space missions, a few internet-dwelling conspiracy theorists hailed this unknown individual as a hero. 'CALLING THEM OUT IN THE CAPITAL....100%' wrote one conspiracy account on X. Another said: 'Artemis II astronauts being called liars to their faces. Love it.' And one chimed in: 'We know!!!! How much did you guys get paid??? You are a mockery to the world!!!'
Thankfully, claims that the Artemis II mission was faked are easily debunked by the vast quantities of evidence collected by the crew. NASA livestreamed the entire 10-day mission, and the astronauts collected an enormous trove of photos and scientific observations. These included the discovery of new craters on the moon's far side and observations of meteor impacts taking place in real time. Likewise, thousands of people watched the launch in person from Kennedy Space Centre, Florida.
However, due to a series of delays and organisational setbacks, the mission had become a lightning rod for conspiracy even before the rocket left Earth's atmosphere. Psychologists say that the Artemis II mission has attracted so much scepticism because it touches on key issues that attract conspiracy theories, such as powerful government organisations and space exploration.
Dr Daniel Jolley, an expert on the psychology of conspiracy theories from the University of Nottingham, told the Daily Mail: 'The Artemis II mission touches on several themes that commonly attract conspiracy theories. Space exploration is complex, highly symbolic, and led by powerful institutions, which can make it a target for suspicion among some groups.' Additionally, there is already a long history of conspiracy theories targeting NASA and the moon landings, which a high-profile mission like Artemis II can 'reignite'.
While some conspiracy theorists, such as the one who accosted the Artemis II crew, frame these theories in religious terms, Dr Jolley points out that this is not an essential component. 'Conspiracy theories sometimes take on a religious angle because they frame events in moral terms,' he says. 'However, it is important not to overstate this connection, as most religious people do not endorse conspiracy theories.'
Artemis II: Key facts
- Launch date: April 1
- Mission objective: To complete a lunar flyby, passing the 'dark side' of the moon and test systems for a future lunar landing.
- Total distance to travel: 620,000 miles (one million km)
- Mission duration: 10 days
- Estimated total cost: $44 billion (£32.5 billion)
- NASA Space Launch System rocket: $23.8 billion (£17.6 billion)
- Orion deep-space spacecraft: $20.4 billion (£15 billion)
- Crew: Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen
Mission Stages
- Launch from Kennedy Space Centre Launch Pad 39B
- Manoeuvre in orbit to raise the perigee using the Cryogenic Propulsion Stage
- Burn to raise apogee using the Cryogenic Propulsion Stage
- Detach from Cryogenic Propulsion Stage and perform translunar injection
- Fly to the moon over four days
- Complete lunar flyby at a maximum altitude of 5,523 miles (8,889 km) above the moon's surface
- Return to Earth over four days
- Separate the crew module from the European Service Module and the crew module adapter
- Splashdown in the Pacific Ocean
