13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II
BBC World Service
NEW: Artemis and the return to the Moon. The BBC’s space podcast is following Artemis II, with an episode every day during the mission. Nasa plans to return to the Moon for the first time in more than half a century and the next step is Artemis II. The mission aims to send four astronauts – on a spacecraft called Orion - to loop around the Moon. They plan to go further from Earth than any human in history. The story of Artemis II is being told by space scientist, Maggie Aderin, and British astronaut, Tim Peake. They are joined by expert contributors, US space journalist Kristin Fisher and the BBC News Science Editor, Rebecca Morelle.
Orion’s crew is Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. The last crewed mission to The Moon was Apollo 17 in 1972.13 Minutes is the BBC’s space podcast, telling epic space stories. It’s produced by the BBC Audio Science Unit for the BBC World Service.
Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.Previous seasons:Season 1: 13 Minutes to the Moon.
The first Moon landing. In the final dramatic 13-minute descent to the Moon, the Apollo 11 mission came close to going badly wrong. Communication was breaking down, technology was failing and fuel was running out. This is the story of how the first Moon landing was saved. Presented by Kevin Fong.Season 2: Apollo 13.
Apollo 13 should have been the third Moon landing, but after an explosion, it almost ended in tragedy. Told by the people who flew it and saved it. Presented and co-written by Kevin Fong.Season 3: The Space Shuttle.
A sci-fi dream that changed spaceflight forever. From the boldest test flight in history to one of Nasa’s darkest days – the Challenger disaster. Space scientist Maggie Aderin tells the awe-inspiring story of the programme that brought triumph and tragedy. Some scenes in this series use recreated sound effects.
Orion’s crew is Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. The last crewed mission to The Moon was Apollo 17 in 1972.13 Minutes is the BBC’s space podcast, telling epic space stories. It’s produced by the BBC Audio Science Unit for the BBC World Service.
Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.Previous seasons:Season 1: 13 Minutes to the Moon.
The first Moon landing. In the final dramatic 13-minute descent to the Moon, the Apollo 11 mission came close to going badly wrong. Communication was breaking down, technology was failing and fuel was running out. This is the story of how the first Moon landing was saved. Presented by Kevin Fong.Season 2: Apollo 13.
Apollo 13 should have been the third Moon landing, but after an explosion, it almost ended in tragedy. Told by the people who flew it and saved it. Presented and co-written by Kevin Fong.Season 3: The Space Shuttle.
A sci-fi dream that changed spaceflight forever. From the boldest test flight in history to one of Nasa’s darkest days – the Challenger disaster. Space scientist Maggie Aderin tells the awe-inspiring story of the programme that brought triumph and tragedy. Some scenes in this series use recreated sound effects.
Episodes
Mentioned books
5 snips
Mar 30, 2026 • 47min
Why are Nasa, and partners, returning to the Moon?
Tim Marshall, journalist and author on geopolitics and the new space race. Rebecca Morelle, BBC science editor reporting live from Kennedy Space Center. Kristin Fisher, US space reporter providing on-the-ground context. They discuss launch readiness, fuel and technical challenges, political and commercial drivers behind returning to the Moon, international partnerships and how this mission fits into Space Race 2.0.
9 snips
Mar 17, 2026 • 3min
Update: Aiming for April
A launch update as NASA fixes a helium leak and targets a new April liftoff. A veteran astronaut describes the nerves and rituals of waiting for launch. The mission will loop four crew around the far side of the Moon, traveling over 400,000 km. Daily live coverage plans promise real-time updates, technical backstories and interviews with the teams making it happen.
Feb 17, 2026 • 5min
Trailer: The new mission to the Moon
The countdown is on to 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II, following Nasa’s mission to loop around the Moon. We’ll have an Artemis II episode every day. Nasa is hoping to return to the Moon for the first time in more than half a century. The story of Artemis II will be told by space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock, British astronaut Tim Peake, and US space journalist Kristin Fisher. Strap yourself in for another epic journey from the BBC’s space podcast, 13 Minutes. The Artemis II mission aims to send four astronauts – on a spacecraft called Orion - to loop around the Moon. They plan to go further from Earth than any human in history. Orion’s crew is scheduled to be Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II will begin around two days before the launch.Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.
62 snips
Sep 15, 2025 • 33min
The Space Shuttle: 10. Return to flight
Join Dick Covey, pilot of the STS-26 mission and a key figure in the return to flight after the Challenger disaster, as he shares gripping insights about the historic launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery. He reflects on the heightened emotions and safety measures adopted after years of challenges. Covey discusses the crew's first night back in space, buoyed by a wake-up call from Robin Williams, and delves into the shuttle's legacy, emphasizing its critical role in shaping future space exploration and the representation of diverse astronauts.
53 snips
Sep 8, 2025 • 38min
The Space Shuttle: 9. What is it all for?
Mike Mullane, a former Space Shuttle astronaut, shares heartfelt insights about the Challenger disaster and the ensuing soul-searching within NASA. He reflects on the emotional farewells astronauts experience with their families, emphasizing the risks of their missions. Mullane discusses the legacy of tragedy, the technical and safety reforms that followed, and the resilience of the shuttle team. He also highlights the significance of the STS-26 mission, symbolizing a renewed commitment to human spaceflight and the quest for safety in the wake of loss.
56 snips
Sep 1, 2025 • 51min
The Space Shuttle: 8. A major malfunction
The podcast dives into the shocking Challenger tragedy, capturing the intense moments of confusion and chaos during the launch. It highlights the critical safety concerns raised by engineers about the O-rings in freezing temperatures. Tensions between safety and corporate pressures take center stage as the launch date approaches. The discussion culminates in an emotional recounting of the explosion and the subsequent Rogers Commission findings, emphasizing the crucial lessons learned for future space missions.
55 snips
Aug 25, 2025 • 43min
The Space Shuttle: 7. Teacher in space
Christa McAuliffe, a dedicated social studies teacher from New Hampshire, shares her extraordinary journey as the first teacher selected for NASA's Teacher in Space program. She discusses the importance of engaging the public through education and the excitement of training for a historic mission. Christa also highlights the camaraderie built with fellow educators and addresses concerns around sending private citizens into space. The emotional lead-up to the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger becomes a moving testament to the risks and dreams associated with space exploration.
44 snips
Aug 18, 2025 • 45min
The Space Shuttle: 6. Satellite for sale
Join Joe Allen, a former nuclear physicist and astronaut, and Rick Houck, mission commander and veteran astronaut, as they dive into the thrilling challenges of a 1984 NASA mission. They discuss the nerve-wracking task of retrieving two stranded $75 million satellites in orbit. With unexpected setbacks and an innovative female astronaut leading the charge, the crew navigates the complexities of spacewalks, improvises under pressure, and reflects on the human elements of balancing motherhood and career in the cosmos.
33 snips
Aug 11, 2025 • 44min
The Space Shuttle: 5. Space truck
In this engaging discussion, Hoot Gibson, a veteran astronaut and pilot of the Challenger during the STS-41B mission, shares thrilling stories from space. He recaps the moment when President Reagan opened the space shuttle for business and recounts challenges faced, like the loss of the $75-million Westar 6 satellite. Gibson discusses the emotions aboard Challenger during tense moments, from balloon mishaps to the exhilarating experience of a spacewalk. He highlights the teamwork required in mission control and the personal resilience required to navigate media scrutiny.
63 snips
Aug 4, 2025 • 43min
The Space Shuttle: 4. The 35 new guys
Kathy Sullivan, a former NASA astronaut and the first American woman to perform a spacewalk, and Mike Mullane, a retired astronaut who flew on three Shuttle missions, discuss a transformative era in NASA's history. They highlight how social changes prompted the recruitment of women and minorities into the astronaut corps. The guests share personal experiences from their groundbreaking journeys, exploring the challenges and excitement of navigating a diverse and revolutionary new atmosphere in space exploration, which emphasized collaboration over traditional pilot roles.
