The Daily Aus Are we in a second Space Race?
Sep 24, 2025
Four NASA astronauts are gearing up for the first lunar mission since 1972. Artemis II will take off in February for a ten-day test flight ahead of a 2027 moon landing. This is part of what’s being called a second space race, sparked by U.S. and Chinese ambitions. The podcast explores why it's taken so long to return to the moon and what Artemis aims to achieve, including establishing a permanent lunar base and preparing for Mars. Geopolitical stakes are high, with lunar control affecting future space endeavors.
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Artemis Returns Humans To Lunar Orbit
- Artemis II will be the first crewed lunar mission since 1972 and launches in February next year for a 10-day trip around the Moon.
- Artemis aims to return humans to the lunar surface ahead of planned landings in 2027 and beyond.
Artemis 2 Is A Stepped Test Flight
- Artemis 2 is a 10-day crewed test flight designed to demonstrate capabilities needed for later moon landings.
- NASA will use lessons from Artemis 2 to prepare for the crewed lunar landing planned for Artemis 3.
Politics And Cost Kept Humans Off The Moon
- The long gap since Apollo is mainly due to shifting political priorities and the enormous cost of human lunar missions.
- NASA's focus changed after Apollo and only recent administrations have pushed to return to the Moon.