Newscast NASA Returns To The Moon (And Beyond)
12 snips
Apr 2, 2026 
Tim Peake, British astronaut with ISS experience, and Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, space scientist and communicator, share firsthand reactions to Artemis II. They recount launch sensations, rapid fixes and life aboard Orion. They discuss lunar infrastructure, the Gateway, how the Moon informs Mars plans, and the science value of returning to the lunar surface.
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Crew's In Orbit Checklist And Practice
- Tim Peake described specific in-orbit checks: Victor Glover manually piloted Orion around an upper stage and the crew tested star trackers, life support and communications.
- They slept four hours and practised troubleshooting everyday tasks like eating, drinking and using the toilet.
Only Fire Translunar Engines After Full Checks
- Wait to commit to irreversible mission phases until systems are verified; once translunar injection fires it's very hard to stop.
- Use staged checkouts and simulated operations to verify crew, comms and propulsion before committing.
Artemis Focuses On Infrastructure Not Just Prestige
- Artemis is purpose-driven, unlike Apollo's Cold War showmanship; it's building infrastructure toward sustained lunar presence.
- Missions aim to scout the south pole, map landing sites and prepare for Artemis 4 and eventual boots-on-the-ground.