The crew gathered by NASA on the International Space Station released a message last Friday on NASA Television, in the memory of Apollo 8’s astronauts, the first humans to ever circumnavigate the moon.

The event took place on December 24, 1968 and involved astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders. The three successfully returned home three days later, making a powerful statement about the United States’ technological advancements and also boosting the spirit of the entire nation. The astronauts sent back to base photos of the moon and also of the Earth, photos which were received with great enthusiasm by people everywhere. The mission truly represents a cornerstone in the evolution of space exploration.

Expedition 18 Commander Mike Fincke and Flight Engineers Sandy Magnus and Yury Lonchakov paid homage to Apollo 8’s voyage through their message, which is scheduled to be rebroadcasted again tomorrow.

"To this day, it amazes me," said Commander Mike Fincke. "To go from Apollo 7, where they checked the vehicle and landed (back on Earth), to the next mission, where they shot all the way to the moon, is astounding."

"We need to have an interesting moon and Mars program that we can be proud of, one that will be consistent with a budget that taxpayers will support," explained Bill Anders. He strongly believes that the impetus to return to the moon should be to build a science-research base like those that exist in Antarctica, but unfortunately, "But there's not much public support for that," he concluded.