BBC Inside Science Return to the moon
16 snips
Apr 9, 2026 
Kelly Weinersmith, biologist and author of City on Mars, outlines health, radiation and habitat challenges for living on the Moon and Mars. Libby Jackson, Head of Space at the Science Museum and former ESA Flight Controller, explains Artemis II’s tests, reentry risks and the mission’s role in paving the way for lunar bases. Short, clear takes on engineering, geology and the practical limits of staying on the Moon.
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Treat Heat Shield Data As A Go No-Go Criterion
- Monitor heat-shield performance closely on re-entry and validate material behaviour under real conditions.
- NASA delayed Artemis II after Artemis I charring, reviewed data, and chose to proceed with the same material only after reassessment.
Deep Space Radiation Causes Strange Visuals And Unknown Harms
- Beyond solar bursts, galactic cosmic rays penetrate astronauts and can create visual 'light flashes' and systemic health risks.
- Kelly Weinersmith cites Buzz Aldrin's observations and notes unknowns about cancer, cognition and immune effects.
Shield Habitats Underground Not In Glass Domes
- Design habitats with substantial shielding rather than panoramic windows to limit radiation exposure.
- Weinersmith recommends lava-tube habitats or burying modules under meters of regolith for protection.
