Rocket Man
An Orlando photographer captures stunning images of our nation’s quest to explore space – including the historic launch of Artemis II
On April 1, 2026, photographer Steven Madow eagerly awaited the launch of NASA’s Artemis II at Kennedy Space Center, a significant moment in the annals of history.
This was also an important date on the Jewish calendar: the first night of Passover. The confluence of events prompted Steven to host a scaled-back Seder with fellow Jewish media personnel and photojournalists in front of the countdown clock at the launchpad as everyone’s excitement grew.
“The context of Artemis II [during Passover] was not lost on me,” says Steven. “And this launch was the first in my lifetime: the first human lunar mission in 50 years.”
A professional photographer for more than a decade, Steven has become an expert in capturing rocket launches by combining his photography skills with his other passion – technology.
Countdown to Success
“I am a tech guy who has been interested in photography and videography most of my life,” he says. “I integrate technology with my photography, concurrently developing tech skills with the photography discipline.”
Steven describes himself as having a split life, one that requires him to balance two professions simultaneously. On the one hand, he is enjoying a successful 15-year career in the tech industry. On the other, his love for capturing history and imagery led Steven to start his own photography company.
For Steven, the trickiest thing about balancing these jobs is that rocket launches can be unpredictable, with scrubs (delays) being common.
“I had a tech work trip that I had to take on the Friday after the Artemis II launch,” says Steven. “I was extremely nervous leading up to it.”
Fortunately, the rocket blasted off in spectacular fashion to orbit the Moon, just as planned. Not only was Steven able to capture incredible images with his cameras (14 of them), he was also able to make it on time to his tech destination.
Blasting Off
Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Steven came to Central Florida to attend Rollins College, where he earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Early in his photography career, Steven specialized in cityscapes and landscapes, which he still incorporates into his work. But in 2014, rocket launches began to enthrall him, and a new creative path emerged.
“Over time, I became more interested in space flight,” he says. “And now, there are so many rocket launches, it gives me so many opportunities to hone my skills.”
J Life first featured Steven about 10 years ago, when he had begun traveling to capture solar eclipses. He has since married and now has a four-year-old daughter. The family is continuing Steven’s tradition of chasing eclipses and is heading to Spain this summer to capture more beautiful images and make wonderful memories together.
As a photographic artist, Steven’s goal is to produce an elevated reality of each scene he captures, revealing an image at its best. A few years ago, he took a photo showing a rocket launch in the background of Inter&Co Stadium, where Orlando City plays its soccer matches. The image’s combination of elements is eye-catching.
“That photo was the first one that gave me credibility in that space [launch photography],” he says.
When Stars Align
His work capturing the Artemis II launch, however, may be Steven’s most captivating to date, for both the artist and the public. He says the stars aligned for that shoot, creating stunning images that will stand the test of time. One of his photos went viral, garnering hundreds of thousands of views.
More than that, though, Steven appreciates the significance of the mission, which surpasses anything a camera can capture.
“That launch represented the best in human scientific exploration and the future of humanity,” he says. “Artemis II caused a great shift in the world, giving us so much hope for our planet today.”