Op-Ed: Mike Haridopolos: On Christmas, remember the timeless lessons of Apollo 8's astronauts

This Christmas, let us also look to the stars. The spirit of exploration, the pursuit of knowledge, and the hope for a brighter future are gifts that transcend generations.

On a winter morning in 1968, a towering Saturn V rocket roared into the skies over Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders out of the Earth’s atmosphere. A day later, the men of Apollo 8 ignited the thrusters on the third stage of their craft, accelerated to 24,000 miles an hour, and set themselves on a rendezvous with the Moon. This was the first time that mankind left Earth’s orbit, and if successful, would pave the way for future lunar landings. The stakes were high in space, and so too were they back on Earth.

As the men of Apollo 8 exited the Earth’s gravitational pull, they left behind a country deep in turmoil. The year 1968 had seen the war in Vietnam grow increasingly unpopular, protests and riots break out across the country, and the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy. The nation was in despair, and looked to the men hurtling towards the Moon for a glimmer of hope and inspiration.

Approaching the Moon on December 24th, Apollo 8 faced a pivotal and uncertain moment. They were now further from Earth than any man had been, and had to slow themselves down enough to allow the Moon’s gravity to take hold and allow them to orbit. This had to be exact: Too slow, and they could crash into the lunar surface; too fast, and they could launch into deep space; if they used too much fuel in the maneuver, they risked being trapped in orbit.

Adding to the suspense was that the crucial maneuver had to occur as their craft passed behind the far side of the moon, putting them out of radio contact with Earth.

After 36 excruciating minutes of silence, mission control Apollo 8 emerged and regained radio contact with Earth, and the data that mission control received showed that the maneuver had been a success. While cheering broke out in mission control, the men aboard Apollo 8 were greeted with a spectacular view.

Below them, the pallid and pockmarked surface of the moon from 67 miles above; in the distance, they saw Earth rising over the lunar horizon. Bill Anders pointed his camera out the window and captured the photo now known as Earthrise, one of the most famous pictures ever taken.

A few hours later, now safely in lunar orbit, the crew transmitted a live television broadcast back to Earth. As families gathered to celebrate Christmas Eve, their television sets were filled with images of the moon’s surface. Over these close-up images of a distant, alien world, the astronauts took turns reading the opening ten verses of the book of Genesis: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…”

Closing the broadcast, Frank Borman read, “and from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas — and God bless all of you, all of you on the good Earth.”

The universality and depth of their words resonated deeply, offering a profound moment of reflection and unity rooted in faith, tradition, and the belief that America’s greatest achievements stem from the values that define us. Upon their return, an anonymous telegram received by the crew read, “congratulations to the crew of Apollo 8. You saved 1968”.

As that turbulent year drew to a close, Apollo 8 offered Americans something they desperately needed: Hope for the future. The astronauts’ Christmas Eve broadcast was a unifying moment, demonstrating that even in our darkest times, we are capable of greatness when we aim for the stars. The courage of the Apollo 8 crew and the ingenuity of the thousands who made their mission possible reflected the best of humanity, standing as a testament of the greatness of American bravery and ingenuity.

Fast forward to today, and America’s pursuit of the stars continues to inspire. With private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin achieving milestones alongside NASA’s Artemis program, a new era of exploration is well underway. The Artemis missions aim to return humans to the moon, establish a sustainable presence, and pave the way for journeys to Mars.

Commercial space companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin exemplify the pioneering spirit that drives American innovation. These companies are revolutionizing space travel with reusable rockets, plans to establish a permanent human presence on Mars, and advancing technologies that aim to make space accessible for future generations.

The role of these companies in reigniting America’s space industry cannot be understated. They took enormous risks, pushed the envelope of what we think is possible in orbit, and have given America an unparalleled edge in the modern day space race.

At the same time, the establishment of the United States Space Force highlights America’s commitment to securing the final frontier. By protecting vital space-based infrastructure and ensuring the freedom to operate in space, the Space Force plays a crucial role in safeguarding national security and maintaining America’s leadership in this critical domain. Together, these efforts underscore the enduring importance of space exploration and its role in fostering technological progress, economic growth, and strategic advantage.

More than just technological achievements, these endeavors stand as testaments to our enduring curiosity and resilience, and they are a reminder that American exceptionalism is alive and well.

I am proud to be the next representative in Congress for Florida’s Space Coast, a region that has been central to America’s space exploration from the beginning and continues to play a critical role today.

Rockets now lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station with a frequency that has only accelerated in recent years, many from the very same launchpad that sent Apollo 8, and later Apollo 11, to the Moon. Upon swearing in, I will serve on the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, where I will be committed to fighting for America’s spaceflight industry to ensure our country remains the global leader in space. The Space Coast’s legacy, coupled with its promising future, underscores the vital importance of keeping America at the forefront of exploration and innovation.

As we celebrate Christmas and reflect on the meaning of hope, let us remember the lesson of Apollo 8. The mission’s legacy reminds us that moments of awe can unite us, lifting our spirits and inspiring us to reach for new horizons. Just as Apollo 8 brought light to a troubled world in 1968, today’s endeavors in spaceflight remind us of our capacity for greatness and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.

This Christmas, as we gather with loved ones and exchange gifts, let us also look to the stars. The spirit of exploration, the pursuit of knowledge, and the hope for a brighter future are gifts that transcend generations. In reflecting on Apollo 8, we also acknowledge the enduring importance of courage and vision.

It took immense bravery for the astronauts to venture into the unknown, and it required the collective determination of thousands of individuals to make the mission possible. This same spirit of courage and vision is alive today in the engineers, scientists, and dreamers who are shaping the future of space exploration. Their work inspires us to believe that no challenge is insurmountable and that the greatest of human achievements are still ahead of us.

As we move forward, let us carry the legacy of Apollo 8 in our hearts. Its story reminds us that even in times of uncertainty, we can find unity and hope by looking beyond ourselves. The heavens beckon us not only to explore but also to reflect on the extraordinary potential within us all. This Christmas, may the message of Apollo 8 inspire us to dream bigger, strive harder, and embrace the endless possibilities of tomorrow, confident in the knowledge that America will continue to lead the way.

Mike Haridopolos is the congressman-elect for Florida’s 8th District.