Francesca Rudkin: What does the Artemis II mission mean for the future of space exploration?

Watching Artemis II return to earth’s atmosphere yesterday, it occurred to me that watching a space mission is a bit like watching the Olympics.  

You discover a new event, learn a whole lot of new words, and almost immediately think you know what you’re talking about - but really you’re a novice and have no idea of the complexity involved in what you’re watching.  

But regardless of how much you understand about the engineering, physics and tech behind what has just taken place over the last 10 days, it’s been easy to be awed by this historic mission, which sent humans further into space than ever before.  

The photos and descriptions of the Earth and moon from the 4 astronauts aboard Artemis II, have drawn us in.  

But for all the poetic touches and strategic messaging about this being a mission to unite humanity - it’s what comes next that has really captured my attention. With the success of both Artemis I and II, the vision of building a base on the moon has become that much more realistic.  

Not since 1970 and Apollo 13 have humans ventured this far from Earth. That’s a pause longer than my lifetime. After the Apollo era, NASA’s priorities shifted to programs such as the Space Shuttle program and the International Space Station, which were focused on the low Earth orbit.

But the focus now is on testing and advancing new exploration systems that will allow humans to live in space. Through the Artemis programme scientists have learned valuable lessons about deep-space radiation, Orion’s spacecraft, life support and propulsion systems and re-entry heat protection.  

The benefits of the Artemis II mission extend beyond NASA. Private companies, such as SpaceX and other aerospace contractors, gain opportunities to develop new technologies and expand the commercial space industry. Governments and international partners also benefit by strengthening diplomatic relationships and shared science. 

Over the years there has been a lot of discussion about whether humans should return to the moon, at what cost and for what purpose? But this mission has reignited something in many of us. There is something captivating about pushing the boundaries of what is possible, of laying the groundwork for future discoveries that could benefit life on Earth and expand our presence into space.  

I may not understand the physics required to make this all happen, and I have no idea how far things we’ll get in my lifetime, but the knowledge we’re on our way is inspiring. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Rudkin
from News Talks.

Speaker 2 (00:11):
I'd be watching Artemis two return to Earth's atmosphere yesterday
it occurred to me that watching a space mission is
a bit like watching the Olympics. Stay with me. You
discover a new event, learn a whole lot of new words,
and almost immediately think you know what you're talking about.
But really you're a novice and you have no idea
of the complexity involved in what you're watching. But regardless

(00:34):
of how much you understand about the engineering, physics, and
tech behind what has just taken place over the last
ten days, it's been easy to be awed by this
historic mission, which sent humans further into space than ever before.
The photos and the descriptions of the Earth and Moon
from the four astronauts aboard Artemis two have drawn us in.

(00:55):
But for all the poetic touches and the strategic messaging
about this being a mission to unite humanity, it's what
comes next that has really captured my attention. With the
success of both Artemis one and two, the vision of
building a base on the Moon has become that much
more realistic. Not since nineteen seventeen Apolo thirteen have humans

(01:18):
ventured this far from Earth and that's ap pause longer
than my lifetime. After the Apollo era, of course, NASA's
priorities shifted to programs such as the Space Shustle and
International Space Station, which were focused on the low Earth orbit.
But the focus now is on testing and advancing new
exploration systems that will allow humans to live in space

(01:43):
imagine it. Through the Artemis program, scientists have learned valuable
lessons about deep space radiation and orient spacecraft, and the
life support and propulsion systems, and the re entry heat protection.
The benefits of the Artemis two mission extend beyond NASA
as well. Private companies such as SpaceX and other aerospace
contractors gain opportunities to develop new technologies and expand the

(02:06):
common momcial space industry. Governments and international partners also benefit
by strengthening diplomatic relations and shared science. Over the years,
has been a lot of discussion about whether humans should
return to the Moon, at what cost and for what purpose,
but this mission has reignited something in many of us.
There is something captivating about pushing the boundaries of what

(02:28):
is possible, of laying the groundwork for future discoveries that
could benefit life on Earth and expand our presence into space.
I may not understand the physics required to make all
this happen, and I have no idea how far things
will get in my lifetime, but the knowledge we're on
our way is inspiring.

Speaker 1 (02:48):
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