BBC Inside Science

Space Exploration

Feb 1, 2024

Upcoming lunar missions to the Moon in 2024, including NASA's Artemis II mission with the first manned lunar flyby since 1972 and China's Chang'e 6 mission to collect rock samples from the far side of the moon. Insight into the Artemis II mission and its culinary delights in space. China's use of a relay satellite for their lunar mission and the impact of the Wolf Amendment. Potential discoveries from exploring the moon's surface and below, such as water-containing glass bits and high-density materials. The Europa clipper mission's goal to search for habitable environments on Europa and other icy ocean worlds.

28:45

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Quick takeaways

NASA's Artemis II mission, launching in 2024, will be the first manned lunar flyby since 1972, with a diverse crew representing gender, race, and nationality.

China's Chang'e 6 mission, scheduled for May 2024, aims to collect lunar samples from the unexplored far side of the moon, providing valuable insights into composition and the presence of water ice.

Deep dives

NASA's Artemis II mission: A crucial step towards human lunar exploration

NASA's Artemis II mission, set to launch at the end of this year, will be a manned lunar flyby of the moon, marking a significant milestone in human space exploration. The crew of four astronauts, representing diversity in gender, race, and nationality, will spend nine days on the spacecraft, testing its capabilities and systems. This mission sets the stage for Artemis III, where astronauts will land on the moon's surface. The Artemis program is an international effort, with collaboration from countries like the United States, European countries, Japan, UAE, and Canada. The ultimate goal is to establish a sustainable presence on the moon and explore beyond our lunar neighbor, making space exploration more accessible and inclusive for all.

Introduction

2min

Artemis II Flyby Mission and Crew Selection

11min

Superstitions, Risks, and Must-Have Snacks in Space Exploration

3min

China's Lunar Missions and the Far Side of the Moon

9min

Exploring the Moon's Surface and Below

2min

Exploring Europa and the Search for Habitability

2min

2024 is an exciting year for lunar exploration. For Inside Science this week Marnie Chesterton investigates the planned missions to the Moon over the next twelve months.

It’s been more than fifty years since the last manned mission to the Moon was completed. But that’s about to change with NASA’s upcoming Artemis II mission. This will not only be the first manned lunar flyby of the Moon since 1972, but also the first mission to have a woman and person of colour on board. Reid Wiseman, Commander of the Artemis II manned mission explains more about the mission and even lets us into a few secrets about what culinary delights await astronauts in space.

But it’s not just NASA going to the Moon in 2024. China’s Chang’e 6 mission is lifting off in May, aiming to collect samples of rock from the far side of the moon. Quentin Parker, Director of the Laboratory for Space Research at the University of Hong Kong has a unique insight into China’s mission and has been following progress.

Presenter: Marnie Chesterton Producers: Hannah Fisher Editor: Richard Collings Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth 

BBC Inside Science is produced in collaboration with the Open University.

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BBC Inside Science

Space Exploration

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

NASA's Artemis II mission: A crucial step towards human lunar exploration

China's Chang'e-6 mission: Exploring the lesser-known far side of the moon

Europa Clipper mission: Searching for life on Jupiter's moon

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts