BBC Inside Science – Why is Nasa sending people around the moon? – BBC Sounds

The space science world is unequivocally buzzing, particularly as NASA prepares for a monumental step in human space exploration. On the heels of a successful uncrewed Artemis I mission, the agency is now on the cusp of rolling out its Artemis II rocket to the launch pad, with the highly anticipated crewed launch expected as early as February. This pivotal mission, designed to send humans further into deep space than ever before since the Apollo era, is the central focus of a recent BBC Inside Science episode, broadcast on January 15, 2026, and available for listening on BBC Sounds. Science journalist Jonathan Amos delved into the profound question: why is NASA interested in travelling around the Moon now, and what invaluable lessons will be gleaned from this audacious journey?

Artemis II is not merely a repeat of past lunar endeavors; it represents a critical engineering and human capabilities test for NASA’s ambitious Artemis program. This program aims to return humans to the lunar surface – including the first woman and first person of color – establish a sustainable human presence on and around the Moon, and ultimately, use the Moon as a proving ground for future human missions to Mars. The 28-minute episode, skillfully presented by Tom Whipple, explored the intricate details and grand vision behind this mission.

The primary objective of Artemis II is to validate the Orion spacecraft’s systems with astronauts aboard in a deep space environment. This includes testing life support, navigation, communications, and radiation shielding beyond low Earth orbit. The mission will take a four-person crew on a lunar flyby, a journey designed to send them approximately 10,200 kilometers (6,400 miles) beyond the far side of the Moon, further than any human has traveled before. This free-return trajectory will use the Moon’s gravity to slingshot Orion back towards Earth, a crucial test of its ability to withstand the extreme conditions of deep space and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere at incredibly high speeds.

The "why now?" question has several compelling answers. Decades after the Apollo program concluded, NASA and its international partners recognize the strategic importance of returning to the Moon not just for prestige, but for scientific discovery and technological advancement. The intervening years have seen significant leaps in propulsion, materials science, and robotics, making a sustainable lunar presence a more tangible goal. Artemis II will demonstrate the integrated performance of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the most powerful rocket ever built, and the Orion capsule, paving the way for Artemis III, which will land astronauts on the lunar south pole – a region believed to hold significant water ice reserves crucial for future lunar bases.

Sending humans around the Moon again offers unparalleled learning opportunities. Firstly, it will provide critical data on the physiological and psychological impacts of prolonged deep-space travel on astronauts. Unlike missions in low Earth orbit, a lunar flyby exposes the crew to higher levels of cosmic radiation, necessitating robust shielding and monitoring. Understanding these effects is paramount for planning longer-duration missions to Mars. Secondly, it will test the operational procedures and emergency protocols in a truly remote environment, far from the immediate support of Earth-based ground control. This deep space operational experience is invaluable for developing the autonomy and resilience required for interplanetary travel. Finally, the mission serves as an inspirational beacon, rekindling public interest in space exploration and encouraging a new generation of scientists, engineers, and astronauts. The sheer scale and ambition of Artemis II underscore humanity’s innate drive to explore the unknown and push the boundaries of what is possible.

Beyond the lunar focus, the BBC Inside Science episode also highlighted the broader landscape of scientific discovery. Penny Sarchet, Managing Editor at New Scientist, brought her insightful pick of the best new science from the past week to Tom Whipple. While specific discoveries were not detailed in the provided content, a typical week might feature breakthroughs such as: the latest findings from the James Webb Space Telescope revealing new insights into exoplanet atmospheres or the early universe; significant progress in gene-editing technologies, perhaps a new application of CRISPR for treating genetic diseases; or advancements in sustainable energy solutions, like highly efficient new solar cell designs or novel battery chemistries. These segments consistently remind listeners of the rapid pace and diverse nature of scientific progress across various disciplines, from astrophysics to biomedicine and environmental science, reinforcing the idea that innovation is a continuous, global endeavor.

Another fascinating segment of the program transported listeners to the frozen continent of Antarctica, where Dr. Liz Thomas, head of ice core research at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), unveiled the official opening of the Ice Memory Sanctuary. This extraordinary project involves shipping precious ice cores from around the world to a specially chosen frozen cave in Antarctica. The "why" behind this monumental undertaking is deeply rooted in the urgent realities of climate change. Ice cores are invaluable archives of Earth’s past climate, trapping air bubbles and other environmental markers that reveal atmospheric composition, temperature fluctuations, volcanic activity, and even records of ancient dust and pollution over hundreds of thousands of years.

However, many of the world’s glaciers and ice sheets are melting at an alarming rate due to global warming, threatening to erase these irreplaceable records forever. The Ice Memory Sanctuary serves as a global "last resort" for these vital scientific documents. The chosen cave in Antarctica provides a naturally stable, ultra-cold environment, ensuring the long-term preservation of these cores, safeguarding them from the very climate change they help us understand. Dr. Thomas explained the meticulous science involved in extracting, transporting, and storing these delicate samples, emphasizing the international collaboration that underpins this ambitious endeavor. This sanctuary ensures that future generations of scientists, armed with potentially more advanced analytical techniques, will still have access to this crucial data to better comprehend Earth’s climate history and predict its future.

The BBC Inside Science program consistently offers a rich tapestry of scientific exploration, connecting listeners with leading researchers and the most pressing questions of our time. From the cosmic ambitions of NASA’s Artemis program to the terrestrial urgency of climate science, the show, produced by Kate White, Katie Tomsett, Tim Dodd, and Clare Salisbury, with Martin Smith as editor and Jana Bennett-Holesworth as Production Co-ordinator, continues to illuminate the wonders and challenges of the scientific world. For those eager to delve deeper into these and other captivating scientific narratives, the BBC encourages exploration via bbc.co.uk, searching for BBC Inside Science, and following links to The Open University for further educational resources and content. The journey of discovery, whether to the Moon or into Earth’s past, is an ongoing and essential human endeavor.