Science Friction
ABC Australia
In humanity's next giant leap, astronauts are heading back to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years.
We'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates, from lift-off to splashdown, and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.
The Challenger Legacy (Season 5)
In January 1986, the Challenger space shuttle disintegrated 73 seconds after lift-off. This is the story of how the tragedy unfolded, the engineers who tried to stop it — and the enduring consequences for humanity's exploration of space.
Artificial Evolution (Season 4): Three decades ago, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. Environment reporter Peter de Kruijff explores what's changed, where we are headed, and whether we're okay with it.
Brain Rot (Season 3): How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use.
Cooked (Season 2): Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works.
AI Overlords (Season 1): AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.
We'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates, from lift-off to splashdown, and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.
The Challenger Legacy (Season 5)
In January 1986, the Challenger space shuttle disintegrated 73 seconds after lift-off. This is the story of how the tragedy unfolded, the engineers who tried to stop it — and the enduring consequences for humanity's exploration of space.
Artificial Evolution (Season 4): Three decades ago, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. Environment reporter Peter de Kruijff explores what's changed, where we are headed, and whether we're okay with it.
Brain Rot (Season 3): How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use.
Cooked (Season 2): Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works.
AI Overlords (Season 1): AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 4, 2026 • 16min
04 | Artemis Explained: Halfway to the Moon
The Artemis II astronauts have passed the halfway point between Earth and the Moon, and still have around another day's travel time before they approach their lunar flyby. So what do they get up to while they’re hurtling through space? And how do astronauts go about their daily routine in a cramped Orion capsule?Artemis Explained is a daily podcast from ABC Radio National. From lift-off to splashdown, we'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.If you have a question about the Artemis mission you'd like Belinda and Jacinta to answer in a future episode, email sciencefriction@abc.net.auTo hear more podcast episodes from hosts Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II mission to the moon, search ‘Science Friction: Artemis Explained podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts.Get in touch with us: sciencefriction@abc.net.au.Credits:Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta BowlerSenior Producer: Shelby TraynorExecutive Producer: Petria LadgroveThis story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.
Apr 3, 2026 • 13min
03 | Artemis Explained: No turning back
Just over a day after blasting off, four astronauts encased in an Orion capsule have veered away from Earth and are now on course to fly around the Moon.Bel and Jacinta unpack what the "trans-lunar injection" manoeuvre involved, and take a look at some of the highly relatable challenges faced by the astronauts during their first day in space. Because when you're flying towards the Moon, email problems should be the last thing on your mind.Artemis Explained is a daily podcast from ABC Radio National. From lift-off to splashdown, we'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.If you have a question about the Artemis mission you'd like Belinda and Jacinta to answer in a future episode, email sciencefriction@abc.net.auTo hear more podcast episodes from hosts Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II mission to the moon, search ‘Science Friction: Artemis Explained podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts.Get in touch with us: sciencefriction@abc.net.au.Credits:Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta BowlerSenior Producer: Shelby TraynorExecutive Producer: Petria LadgroveThis story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.
Apr 2, 2026 • 14min
02 | Artemis Explained: Lift off
And we have lift off!Four astronauts successfully blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center and have started their journey to the Moon.But it wouldn't be a Moon launch without a couple of hiccups. We walk through what went down (and up!).Artemis Explained is a daily podcast from ABC Radio National.From lift-off to splashdown, we'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.If you have a question about the Artemis mission you'd like Belinda and Jacinta to answer in a future episode, email sciencefriction@abc.net.auThe new moonshotIn pictures: Artemis II NASA’s first mission to the Moon in decadesTo hear more podcast episodes from hosts Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II mission to the moon, search ‘Science Friction: Artemis Explained podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts.Get in touch with us: sciencefriction@abc.net.au.Credits:Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta BowlerSenior Producer: Shelby TraynorExecutive Producer: Petria LadgroveThis story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.
Apr 1, 2026 • 15min
01 | Artemis Explained: Before the launch
For the first time in 50 years, humanity is on the cusp of returning to the Moon, with the Artemis II lunar flyby mission set to launch in the coming days.But if we've already been to the Moon, why bother going back now? And who will be on board when the spacecraft blasts off?Welcome to the first episode of Artemis Explained. From lift-off to splashdown, we'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.If you have a question about the Artemis mission you'd like Belinda and Jacinta to answer in a future episode, email sciencefriction@abc.net.auTo hear more podcast episodes from hosts Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II mission to the moon, search ‘Science Friction: Artemis Explained podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts.Credits:Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta BowlerSenior Producer: Shelby TraynorExecutive Producer: Petria LadgroveThis episode was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.
Feb 25, 2026 • 43min
BONUS | The Challenger Legacy: Q&A
They answer listener questions about the Challenger disaster, including how the shuttle’s solid rocket booster joints were re‑engineered. They compare shuttle, Saturn V and SLS tradeoffs and discuss commercial versus NASA safety incentives. They cover abort options, inspection limits, how Orion reaches the Moon, launch windows, environmental impacts of rockets, and what space travel actually feels like.
Feb 17, 2026 • 31min
05 | The Challenger Legacy: Apollo on Steroids
Charlie Camarda, retired NASA engineer and former astronaut, warns about Orion’s heat shield and re-entry risks. Peter King, CBS News Radio correspondent, explains how Orion is like an 'Apollo on steroids' and covers launch operations and testing. They discuss hydrogen leak challenges, reused shuttle hardware, and why heat shield damage has raised urgent safety concerns.
Feb 10, 2026 • 26min
04 | The Challenger Legacy: The Devil You Know
Miles O'Brien, CNN aerospace correspondent and longtime space reporter, shares eyewitness reporting and analysis. He recounts foam-impact tests that pierced shuttle wings. He discusses how foam caused Columbia's loss and why imaging or rescue were not viable. He reflects on cultural and engineering lessons around launch pressure and safer return-to-flight practices.
Feb 3, 2026 • 24min
03 | The Challenger Legacy: Columbia
Miles O'Brien, CNN aerospace correspondent who filmed Columbia's launch, tells how he spotted a troubling foam strike. Short scenes cover the discovery of the footage, denied requests to inspect the wing, the tragic re-entry loss, and the stark parallels with Challenger. Personal family calls and the scramble to support loved ones add a human dimension.
Jan 27, 2026 • 33min
02 | The Challenger Legacy: Five Lepers
Engineers watch the Challenger explosion from afar and wrestle with prior warnings they gave about O-ring problems. The show digs into the SRB design, how cold weather affected seals, and a tense teleconference where managers overruled safety concerns. It follows the sidelining of five engineers, secrecy and fear of reprisal, and the long aftermath of redesigns and cultural fallout.
Jan 20, 2026 • 26min
01 | The Challenger Legacy: Launch Fever
It's the morning of January 28th, 1986. On board the space shuttle Challenger are seven astronauts, including teacher Christa McAuliffe.She is set to be the first ever teacher in space. But Christa never makes it to orbit.In the wake of an unprecedented disaster, questions start to be asked.Should this mission have been launched in the first place?To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Fiona Pepper and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki about the legacy the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster left on culture, space exploration and high-risk decision making, search ‘Science Friction: The Challenger Legacy podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts.Guests:John TribeRetired shuttle engineerSteve NesbittFormer NASA public affairs officerJune Scobee RodgersWidow of Challenger commander Dick ScobeeAdam HigginbothamAuthor, Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of SpaceCredits:Presenters: Fiona Pepper and Karl KruszelnickiReporter: Fiona PepperSenior Producer: James BullenSeries Producer: Jonathan WebbExecutive Producer: Petria LadgroveSound Engineer: Tim JenkinsArchives Research: Lisa Chidlow, Michael OsmondThis story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar peoples.
