For the first time in 50 years, humanity is on the cusp of returning to the Moon, with the Artemis II lunar flyby mission set to launch in the coming days.But if we've already been to the Moon, why bother going back now? And who will be on board when the spacecraft blasts off?Welcome to the first episode of Artemis Explained. From lift-off to splashdown, we'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.If you have a question about the Artemis mission you'd like Belinda and Jacinta to answer in a future episode, email <a href="mailto:sciencefriction@abc.net.au" target="_blank">sciencefriction@abc.net.au</a>To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II mission to the moon, search ‘Science Friction: Artemis Explained podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts.Credits:<ul><li>Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler</li><li>Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor</li><li>Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove</li></ul>This episode was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.

For the first time in 50 years, humanity is on the cusp of returning to the Moon, with the Artemis II lunar flyby mission set to launch in the coming days. But if we've already been to the Moon, why bother going back now? And who will be on board when the spacecraft blasts off? Welcome to the first episode of Artemis Explained. From lift-off to splashdown, we'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon. If you have a question about the Artemis mission you'd like Belinda and Jacinta to answer in a future episode, email sciencefriction@abc.net.au To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II mission to the moon, search ‘Science Friction: Artemis Explained podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts. Credits:Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta BowlerSenior Producer: Shelby TraynorExecutive Producer: Petria LadgroveThis episode was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.

For the first time in 50 years, humanity is on the cusp of returning to the Moon, with the Artemis II lunar flyby mission set to launch in the coming days.But if we've already been to the Moon, why bother going back now? And who will be on board when the spacecraft blasts off?Welcome to the first episode of Artemis Explained. From lift-off to splashdown, we'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.If you have a question about the Artemis mission you'd like Belinda and Jacinta to answer in a future episode, email <a href="mailto:sciencefriction@abc.net.au" rel="noopener noreferrer">sciencefriction@abc.net.au</a>To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II mission to the moon, search ‘Science Friction: Artemis Explained podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts.Credits:<ul><li>Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler</li><li>Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor</li><li>Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove</li></ul>This episode was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.&nbsp;

01 | Artemis Explained: Before the launch

In humanity's next giant leap, astronauts are heading back to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years.

We'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates, from lift-off to splashdown, and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.

The Challenger Legacy (Season 5) 

In January 1986, the Challenger space shuttle disintegrated 73 seconds after lift-off. This is the story of how the tragedy unfolded, the engineers who tried to stop it — and the enduring consequences for humanity's exploration of space. 

Artificial Evolution (Season 4): Three decades ago, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. Environment reporter Peter de Kruijff explores what's changed, where we are headed, and whether we're okay with it.

Brain Rot (Season 3): How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use.

Cooked (Season 2): Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works.

AI Overlords (Season 1): AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.

Society & Culture

Science

In humanity's next giant leap, astronauts are heading back to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. We'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates, from lift-off to splashdown, and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon. The Challenger Legacy (Season 5) In January 1986, the Challenger space shuttle disintegrated 73 seconds after lift-off. This is the story of how the tragedy unfolded, the engineers who tried to stop it — and the enduring consequences for humanity's exploration of space. Artificial Evolution (Season 4): Three decades ago, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. Environment reporter Peter de Kruijff explores what's changed, where we are headed, and whether we're okay with it. Brain Rot (Season 3): How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use. Cooked (Season 2): Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works. AI Overlords (Season 1): AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.

In humanity's next giant leap, astronauts are heading back to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years.

We'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates, from lift-off to splashdown, and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.

The Challenger Legacy (Season 5)&nbsp;

In January 1986, the Challenger space shuttle disintegrated 73 seconds after lift-off. This is the story of how the tragedy unfolded, the engineers who tried to stop it — and the enduring consequences for humanity's exploration of space.&nbsp;

Artificial Evolution (Season 4): Three decades ago, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. Environment reporter Peter de Kruijff explores what's changed, where we are headed, and whether we're okay with it.

Brain Rot (Season 3): How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use.

Cooked (Season 2): Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works.

AI Overlords (Season 1): AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.

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01 | Artemis Explained: Before the launch

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