BBC Inside Science Why is Nasa sending people around the moon?
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Jan 15, 2026 Join science journalist Jonathan Amos as he discusses NASA's Artemis 2 mission, revealing the significance of returning humans to the moon and its implications for future Mars exploration. Dr. Liz Thomas unveils the Ice Memory Sanctuary project, emphasizing the importance of preserving ice cores for climate research and what they reveal about past environments. Meanwhile, Roland Pease shares intriguing findings about Betelgeuse's hidden companion, exploring its impact on the star’s atmosphere and our understanding of stellar interactions.
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Artemis 2 Is A Rehearsal, Not A Landing
- Artemis 2 is primarily a crewed rehearsal to prove humans can travel to the Moon and return safely.
- The mission goes farther out than Apollo 8 and will view regions of the Moon no human has seen.
Four Motivations Behind Returning
- Going back to the Moon serves science, strategic practice for Mars, geopolitical competition, and inspiration.
- Jonathan Amos links these motives to both technical goals and national leadership ambitions.
Artemis 2 Will See Unseen Lunar Regions
- Artemis 2 will loop about 6,500 km above the Moon, farther than Apollo 8's 110 km.
- That greater distance lets crews observe lunar regions never seen by human eyes.