For the first time since 1972, humans are preparing to journey around the Moon and this time, listeners will be able to follow every step in real time.
BBC World Service has announced a new season of 13 Minutes, a documentary podcast telling stories from the history of space travel, this time following NASA’s Artemis II mission as it unfolds. Episodes will commence two days before liftoff and continue daily throughout the mission’s 10-day journey.
Previous 13 Minutes seasons have covered Apollo 11’s Moon landing, the journey of Apollo 13, and the Space Shuttle. Now, if successful, Artemis II could send astronauts farther from Earth than ever before, potentially breaking the distance record set during Apollo 13.
The podcast will be hosted by space scientist Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, journalist Kristin Fisher and British astronaut Tim Peake. Peake expressed his excitement, saying “Artemis II marks the first time in over fifty years that humans will travel around the Moon, and through this podcast we’ll be discussing the risks, the rewards and the remarkable teamwork behind the mission as it happens.” They will be joined by BBC News Science Editor Rebecca Morelle and Science Correspondent Pallab Ghosh.
The mission’s next potential launch window is in early March and, once it receives the green light, the daily episodes will begin.
