13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II

Episode 5: No Going Back (April 3, 2026)

BBC World Service

Episode Overview

This episode captures a milestone moment in the Artemis II mission: the successful translunar injection (TLI), which commits Orion’s crew—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—to humanity’s first journey around the Moon in over 50 years. Hosted by astronaut Tim Peake and space scientist Maggie Aderin, with insights from US space journalist Kristin Fisher and BBC’s Rebecca Morelle, the conversation explores the technical, emotional, and historical significance of Artemis II’s critical maneuver, its implications for the future of lunar exploration, and the international and commercial collaborations shaping the Artemis program.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Translunar Injection: “No Going Back”

• The TLI burn has placed Orion and its crew firmly en route to the Moon—there is now “no turning back.”
• The success of TLI marks the first time the European Service Module (ESM) has powered a crew on this crucial maneuver, and signifies the irreversible transition from Earth to deep space.
• The crew’s velocity increased to over 24,000 mph; their altitude is rapidly growing as the Earth recedes in view.

Notable Quote:

"It was go to the moon. They are now on their way with no turning back."
—Kristin Fisher (02:44)

• Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, reflects via social media on the philosophy that although they are heading to the Moon, “our ultimate destination in human spaceflight is always Earth.”
• The hosts highlight the “overview effect” as the astronauts watch Earth shrink to a marble in the void—a perspective only a handful of humans have experienced.

Notable Quote:

“They can see the whole of the planet now, which must just be a fantastic sight to see.”
—Tim Peake (04:33)

Crew Reactions & Human Moments

• The crew expresses surprise and joy at the flawless countdown and launch, with Glover remarking how hard it is to stay composed—not just as professionals, but as excited humans.

Notable Quote:

"It's a ride where you're trying to be a professional, but the kid inside you wants to break out and hoot and holler."
—Victor Glover (quoted by Kristin Fisher, 07:11)

• Everyday activities—like filling water sacks due to a valve issue, or fixing the toilet (“space plumber” Christina Koch)—bring an approachable, “campervan in space” vibe.
• Images of a beaming Jeremy Hansen underscore the emotional high: “He’s waited 16 years to fly to space and what a first mission.” (Tim Peake, 08:26)

Artemis Program: Shifting Plans & Vision for the Future

• Artemis III will no longer attempt a lunar landing but instead demonstrate docking procedures in Earth orbit, pushing the first surface return to Artemis IV.
• The long-term plan is to build a lunar base near the Moon’s south pole, leveraging deposits of frozen water for ongoing human presence and as a springboard for deeper exploration.

Notable Quote:

"It does feel as if there's a long term plan...especially with this launch going so well, it feels tangible and I've always wanted to live on a moon base. So bring it on."
—Maggie Aderin (10:30)

• Key distinctions from Apollo: Artemis focuses on international collaboration (over 60 countries involved) and substantial private sector involvement (CLPS partners like Intuitive Machines, Firefly, and Astrobotic).
• The CLPS program will start monthly robotic lunar landings in 2027, building necessary infrastructure for sustained crewed endeavors.

Notable Quote:

“It’s the commercial side of things that really has me so confident.”
—Kristin Fisher (12:08)

Commercialization, Cooperation, and a New Space Era

• Compare three eras of human spaceflight: confrontation (Apollo era), collaboration (post-1975), and now commercialization.
• The era of multiple actors: NASA, ESA, China (notably advanced, first to land on Moon’s far side), and private companies—potentially leading to lunar “Antarctic-style” research bases.

Notable Quote:

"We are in the era of commercialization where...many organizations across the world are talking about how we set up a moon base."
—Maggie Aderin (14:15)

• The “race” to the Moon is now an ongoing, multi-winner process—not just about being first, but about establishing presence in a sustainable, diverse way (Tim Peake, 16:45).

Notable Quote:

“It’s not a race that one person wins and then everybody gives up and goes home...in 15, 20 years time, we could have three, four, five research bases on the surface of the moon.”
—Tim Peake (16:45)

Orion and the European Service Module: Deep Space Engineering

• Guest: Sian Cleaver, engineer at Airbus Defense and Space, joins to discuss the European Service Module (ESM):
  • ESM is critical: supplies power, propulsion, water, air, thermal control, and is the only way Orion can reach the Moon.
  • The TLI burn was the debut of ESM on a crewed mission. The team felt “incredibly proud” (23:28).
  • Six ESMs are currently under contract, with #1 and #2 flown, #3 and #4 awaiting tests, #5 and #6 under construction.
  • ESM’s heritage is in ESA’s Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV); the learning from ATV underpins ESM’s design.

Notable Quote:

“Orion can't get to the moon without the European Service module...it's got everything inside it that's needed to keep the astronauts alive.”
—Sian Cleaver (22:04)

- Reliable, tested designs and technological “heritage” are crucial, as “going to space is difficult” and using what works increases safety (28:05).

Power and Thermal Control

• The ESM’s four solar arrays span 19 meters, generate 11 kilowatts (“enough to power two average three-bedroom homes”), and continually orient to optimize sunlight.
• Solar arrays not only generate power but also help radiate excess heat to maintain stable craft temperatures (30:28).

Human Factors & Engineering Interactions

• Exercise on the flywheel (rower) created visible oscillations in Orion’s solar arrays—a useful telemetry for engineers and a real example of Newton’s laws (32:01).
  • Parallels to the ISS, where crew movement similarly impacts structural dynamics (34:05).
  • Such physical impacts must be accounted for in spacecraft design and mission planning.

Risks and Future Opportunities

• Despite program volatility (e.g., political shifts), Airbus remains optimistic about ongoing European involvement in Artemis and the opportunities for continued industrial partnership.
• Flexibility and the ability to repurpose proven hardware (ATV to ESM) are assets in space programs (26:53).

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “No turning back. Tim and Maggie, it's so good to see you both. And you know when that huge moment happened...”
  —Kristin Fisher [02:44]
• “They can see the whole of the planet now, which must just be a fantastic sight to see.”
  —Tim Peake [04:33]
• “It's a ride where you're trying to be a professional, but the kid inside you wants to break out and hoot and holler.”
  —Victor Glover (via Kristin Fisher) [07:11]
• “I'm the space plumber. I'm proud to call myself the space plumber.”
  —Christina Koch (quoted by Kristin Fisher) [08:41]
• "I do believe that now we are in the era of commercialization...for human endeavors and getting humans into space, it does feel like a new stepping stone and a very exciting one."
  —Maggie Aderin [14:17]
• “If it is a space race, it’s very different to the Apollo era...in 15, 20 years time, we could have three, four, five research bases on the surface of the moon.”
  —Tim Peake [16:45]
• "Orion can't get to the moon without the European Service module...it's got everything inside it that's needed to keep the astronauts alive."
  —Sian Cleaver [22:04]
• "Space is challenging. So we need to build on all of the experience that we've had in the past to make something as difficult as the Artemis program come to life."
  —Sian Cleaver [28:05]

Important Timestamps

• Translunar Injection Key Moment: [01:40-02:20]
• Kristin Fisher on social experience at Kennedy Space Center: [06:09]
• Crew’s emotional reactions to launch: [07:11]
• Discussion of Artemis program changes and lunar base: [09:07–10:42]
• Private sector and international involvement: [11:50–12:33]
• Three eras of space exploration: [14:10]
• China’s rapid progress and competitive pressure: [15:28]
• Technical segment: Sian Cleaver & the European Service Module: [22:04–33:15]
• Solar panels as “selfie stick” and engineering learnings from crew activity: [31:01–32:00]
• ISS ‘resonance’ anecdote: [34:05]

Summary

This episode documents a watershed event in Artemis II: the committed journey to the Moon via successful TLI. The hosts blend technical depth with vivid accounts of astronaut experience—both serious and humorous—as the crew adapts to new roles (“space plumber,” exercise in microgravity), and as international engineering teams achieve mission-critical results. The conversation details a rapidly evolving program, shifting from Apollo’s Cold War rivalry toward a future shaped by public-private partnerships, international collaboration, and commercial innovation, all while navigating the inherent challenges and excitement of human space exploration. Sian Cleaver’s contributions reinforce the European commitment to Artemis and the importance of heritage, adaptability, and cooperation in tackling the hardest problems in space.