Space Boffins, from the Naked Scientists

We're back! The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has been launched to investigate exoplanets and the 'dark forces' that make up the universe. Sue Nelson and Richard Hollingham are joined by Astropartigirl Dr Sophia Gad Nasr to give an insight into the new mission. They also speak to the UK's new space minister, Liz Lloyd, and Sue reports from Wally Funk's celebratory remembrance service in Dallas with guests including astronaut Eileen Collins. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

The Space Boffins are on holiday in Bavaria, so where better to hang out than an asteroid impact crater?! The team visit the ReisKrater Museum to find out about the massive asteroid impact that devastated Central Europe 15 million years ago and now serves as an astronaut training ground. They also celebrate Wally Funk; mark 15 years of the Space Boffins podcast; celebrate the Beagle-2 Mars Lander, and an exclusive archive find: a film about the UK's first satellite, Ariel-1... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Space traveller Trevor Beattie joins Sue Nelson and Richard Hollingham to describe his obsession with space and flight in Virgin Galactic's space plane. The Space Boffins also discuss NASA's new Moonbase plans and Richard chats to rocket scientist Helen Lewin about the incredible RS-25 rocket. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Richard Hollingham is at the Kennedy Space Center for the (historic) launch of Artemis II to the Moon. Sue Nelson joins him from Space Boffins HQ to hear Richard's launch day audio diary and interviews with astronaut Sian Proctor and Artemis engineer Sian Cleaver from Airbus. Plus Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman answers a listener question, and NASA (or Nasa) head Jared Isaacman answers Richard's question on Earthrise. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Dallas Campbell, broadcaster and author of Space Journal, reflects on space history and culture. He debates Artemis versus Apollo and why space missions inspire new generations. He also explores quirky cultural icons like the Clangers and shares how personal ephemera shaped his book.

How do you control a spacecraft on the way to the Moon? NASA flight director, Fiona Antkowiak, shares plans for the Artemis II mission and reveals the secrets of Mission Control. We also hear what goes on in the Orion Mission Evaluation Room (MER) from MER lead Trey Perryman; Sue Nelson and Richard Hollingham discuss the 'type A mishap' that befell the Starliner mission, and Sue talks to UK companies Space Forge and Bio Orbit about the future of factories in space. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Andrew Jones, space journalist covering China’s lunar plans. Ken Kremer, US space policy commentator from the Florida Space Coast. Meganne Christian, UK Space Agency exploration manager and ESA reserve trainee on emergency and evacuation training. Terry Hart, former NASA Shuttle astronaut who helped repair a satellite in orbit. They discuss astronaut evacuations and simulators, Shuttle-era repair missions and inspections, Artemis 2026 timing and lander concerns, and China’s lunar timeline.

Frank De Winne, Belgian astronaut and former ISS commander, reflects on life and leadership in orbit. Mark Craig, documentary filmmaker, explores the human story behind Apollo 1. Dr. Jamees Brown, Moonshot Museum director, talks hands-on outreach and lunar visions. Eva Dixon, multimedia artist, presents a Wally Funk–inspired Mercury 13 exhibition. They discuss station life, Apollo 1’s human angle, museum outreach, and space-themed art.

Sue Nelson and Richard Hollingham get up-close with a Moon lander taking shape at Astrobotic in Pittsburgh. The first woman to pilot and command the Space Shuttle, Eileen Collins, discusses a new film about her life: Space Woman. Plus, two new space quilts, complete with UFOs, at the Royal Astronomical Society... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

One of the most isolated places on Earth is helping us understand how to live on a moon or another planet. Space Boffins Sue Nelson and Richard Hollingham spoke to Nina Purvis, at the Concordia Station in Antarctica, about life on 'White Mars'. Former ESA advisor Mark McCaughrean discusses his new book, 111 Places in Space That You Must Not Miss, and companies ClearSpace, Astroscale and Orbit Fab explain their plans to clean up in space... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists