<p>Scientists have discovered water on the sunlit surface of the Moon for the first time. Does it matter? Well, maybe it does. The Moon is back in vogue in terms of space exploration – the US says it will put astronauts back on the lunar surface by 2024. It is supposed to be the precursor to a manned mission to Mars. Stephen Sackur speaks to Jacob Bleacher, chief exploration scientist at NASA. In this time of pandemic and climate change here on Earth, is space exploration a potential lifeline or a massive vanity project?</p>

Scientists have discovered water on the sunlit surface of the Moon for the first time. Does it matter? Well, maybe it does. The Moon is back in vogue in terms of space exploration – the US says it will put astronauts back on the lunar surface by 2024. It is supposed to be the precursor to a manned mission to Mars. Stephen Sackur speaks to Jacob Bleacher, chief exploration scientist at NASA. In this time of pandemic and climate change here on Earth, is space exploration a potential lifeline or a massive vanity project?

Jacob Bleacher: Putting astronauts back on the moon

<p>Conversations with people shaping our world, from all around the globe. Listen to The Interview for the best conversations from the BBC, the world's most trusted international news provider.
 
We hear from titans of business, politics, finance, sport and culture. Global leaders, decision-makers and cultural icons. Politicians, activists and CEOs.
 
Each interview is around 20-minutes, packed full of insight and analysis, covering some of the biggest issues of our time.
 
How does it work? Well, at the BBC, our journalists interview amazing people every single day. And on The Interview, we bring them to you.
 
It’s your one-stop-shop to the best conversations coming out of the BBC, with the people shaping our world, from all over the world.
 
Get in touch with us on emailTheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.</p>

News

Government

Politics

Conversations with people shaping our world, from all around the globe. Listen to The Interview for the best conversations from the BBC, the world's most trusted international news provider. We hear from titans of business, politics, finance, sport and culture. Global leaders, decision-makers and cultural icons. Politicians, activists and CEOs. Each interview is around 20-minutes, packed full of insight and analysis, covering some of the biggest issues of our time. How does it work? Well, at the BBC, our journalists interview amazing people every single day. And on The Interview, we bring them to you. It’s your one-stop-shop to the best conversations coming out of the BBC, with the people shaping our world, from all over the world. Get in touch with us on emailTheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.

Share Jacob Bleacher: Putting astronauts back on the moon

Sign up to save your podcasts

Jacob Bleacher: Putting astronauts back on the moon

Jacob Bleacher: Putting astronauts back on the moon

More shows like The Interview

Global News Podcast

Economist Podcasts

From Our Own Correspondent

Business Daily

Newshour

World Business Report

The Documentary Podcast

Witness History

The Inquiry

Big Boss Interview

The Audio Long Read

The Briefing Room

Today in Focus

Manchester Arena Bomb: Stories of Hope

When I Was 25

QUB Talks 100 – The Partition of Ireland: Causes and Consequences

The Listening Project

Descendants

Що це було

Siarad Moel: Podlediad Aled Hughes

The Great Post Office Trial

Би-Би-Си Кыргыз кызматы 25 жыл ободо

The Inside Story Podcast

The Global Story

Dad Boys with Dave Elliott and Shane Todd