17 April 2026
About this episode
Episode 360
A new era of space travel is finally upon us. NASA’s Artemis II rocket successfully launched 4 astronauts around the moon and back. Reacting to the historic news is Britain’s first astronaut, Helen Sharman.
The high tech space race sees countries, once again, scrambling to be the first to land people on the lunar surface - but this time to set up a permanent base of operations. Artemis II has now tested the capabilities of the space craft. But Artemis III and IV are already in the works, with dozens of other launches planned, to get cargo and rovers to the moon.
Unlike the space race of the 1960s, this one is very clearly between the US and China. And it’s clear that no matter who lands first, each country will continue their efforts to reach the surface and benefit from the so-called “lunar economy”.
Rowan Hooper and Helen Sharman reflect on the success of the launch, nervousness about the spacecraft’s heatshields on reentry - and what it all signals for the future.
She also explains why we need cooperation now, more than ever, to ensure international collaboration when we do finally start building on the lunar surface.
Chapters
(00:00) Intro - A new space race is now underway
(00:22) Introduction to Astronaut Helen Sharman
(01:09) Helen’s reaction to the Artemis II splashdown
(02:06) Problems with the heatshield
(04:33) What this mission means for new generations
(06:29) Will this actually lead to a sustained presence on the moon?
(10:47) Are private space companies a problem for the moon?
(11:52) The plan for Artemis III
(12:54) Why put nuclear reactors on the moon?
(14:56) What was Artemis II really trying to achieve?
(17:40 What did the astronauts see?
(20:34) Do we know what the landing site will be now?
(22:36) The many planned launches ahead
(24:57) Will we soon have holidays to the moon?
(27:08) Helen’s 35th astronaut anniversary
(29:58) Vision for an international future base on the moon
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Image Credits: NASA
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