The countdown has begun for the launch of NASA's Artemis II mission around the Moon, the first manned mission there in more than 50 years. Their voyage around our nearest neighbour will pave the way for a lunar landing and, eventually, a Moon base. But why is there suddenly rekindled interest in moon exploration, and could this bring humans toward the ultimate goal of reaching Mars?

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Guest: 

• Scott Kelly, retired NASA astronaut.
• Kaya Burgess, science and religious affairs correspondent for The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Julia Webster

We want to hear from you - email: [email protected]

Read more: Artemis II: mission to the Moon

Further listening: The Epstein Files, AI journalism and the future of truth - The Sunday Story

Clips: NASA, John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, PBS, Space Age Archive, Associated Press, CriticalPast, Cosmosphere.

Photo: Kathia Mestanza, Getty Images.

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