Artemis II on the BBC - How to get the inside story on NASA’s mission to the Moon

On 1 April, four NASA astronauts set off on Artemis II to go deeper into space than anyone has gone before. Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen were the first humans to circumnavigate the Moon since 1972.

They conducted a historic lunar fly-by and witnessed a total solar eclipse from their spacecraft.

A new Horizon Special shares the inside story of the Artemis II mission - filmed over three and a half years at NASA, the BBC World Service's 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis features new episodes on the mission to loop around the Moon, and you can keep up to date with all the latest from the mission on the BBC News website.

Artemis: To the Moon and Back

Watch on BBC iPlayer from Wednesday 15 April

Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen are the first humans to circumnavigate the Moon since 1972.

For the last three and a half years, this Horizon Special has had privileged access inside NASA to chronicle their mission. We hear from astronauts, engineers, technicians and mission directors - exploring what it takes to mount a moonshot in the 21st Century. With further insights from some of the biggest names in space science and research including Dame Dr Maggie Aderin and British astronaut, Tim Peake, who are also both co-hosting the BBC World Service Podcast, 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II, alongside US space scientist Kristin Fisher.

The ultimate goal for Artemis is to establish a permanent presence on the lunar surface, where astronauts can live and work for weeks at a time. It’s hugely ambitious, fraught with danger, and very expensive, the Artemis programme has cost $93 billion to date.

We follow as NASA’s engineers grapple with re-using existing rocket technology and as they try to adapt to a faulty heatshield design. Any error could have catastrophic consequences for the astronauts on board. All the while, China’s National Space Administration is heading for the same lunar real estate being targeted by NASA; the starter’s pistol has been fired on this Century’s space race.

Is this the dawn of a brave new era of exploration?

Artemis: To the Moon and Back - Wednesday 15 April at 8pm on BBC Two and iPlayer

• Watch Artemis: To the Moon and Back on iPlayer

13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II

A new episode each day of the mission

The BBC’s space podcast followed the Artemis II mission.

The story of Artemis II was told by space scientist, Maggie Aderin, and British astronaut, Tim Peake. They are joined by expert contributors, US space journalist Kristin Fisher and the BBC News Science Editor, Rebecca Morelle.

• Listen to 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II

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