Artemis II: 9. Bye Bye, Fly-by

Podcast: 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II
Date: April 7, 2026
Host(s): Maggie Aderin (space scientist), Kristen Fisher (space journalist), Tim Peake (British astronaut, pre-recorded), Becky Morrell (BBC Science Editor), special guest Jonathan Amos (former BBC Science Correspondent)
Crew: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, Jeremy Hansen

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into one of the most emotional and eventful days of the Artemis II mission: the historic lunar flyby, packed with science, striking images, new milestones, reflection, personal loss, and global unity. The Artemis II crew became the furthest humans from Earth in history and witnessed a rare Earthshine solar eclipse from lunar orbit. The episode is rich with expert analysis, behind-the-scenes stories, heartfelt moments, and a comparison of Artemis with previous lunar missions.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Emotional Naming of Lunar Features

• At (03:19): Jeremy Hansen announced the naming of two lunar features: “Integrity Crater” (after the Orion capsule) and “Carol,” a bright spot on the lunar near side, after Reed Wiseman’s late wife.
  • Quote (Jeremy Hansen, read by Jim Lovell, 02:11):
    “Her name was Carol … it’s a bright spot on the moon and we would like to call it Carol … C, A, R, R, O, L, L. Yeah.”
  • This revelation visibly moved both crew and presenters, highlighting the deep human connections present in space exploration.

2. The Milestone Lunar Flyby & Observations

• Furthest Humans from Earth: The crew surpassed Apollo 13’s record, reaching 406,000+ km (252,756 miles) from home (32:30).
• Science & Description: The crew conducted rapid, detailed, real-time lunar science, describing volcanic textures, structures, colors, albedo, and lighting (04:18–06:09).
  • Quote (Tim Peake, 06:09):
    “Victor’s descriptions were so eloquent … these dark holes at the bottom of the impact craters that they go to the center of the moon.”
• Photography: The astronauts’ verbal descriptions outshone photographs, capturing unprecedented detail and emotion. Some first images have been received: Earthset (mirroring Apollo 8’s Earthrise), a stunning eclipse, star fields, and the Moon’s corona (07:43–11:07, 41:00).

3. Experiencing a Solar Eclipse from Lunar Orbit

• Unique Perspective: The crew witnessed a dramatic solar eclipse, viewing the Sun’s corona with Earthshine illuminating the Moon—a sight different from any eclipse on Earth (06:09–13:22).
  • Quote (Victor Glover, quoted by Tim, 06:09):
    “We just went sci fi … we can't quite capture what we're seeing with our eyes.”
• Eclipse Glasses: In a last-minute pre-mission scramble, eclipse glasses from the “Great American Eclipse” were found and packed (12:37).
  • Anecdote: Without them, the crew might have missed this rare event depending on launch date and trajectory.

4. The Human Element: Connection and Public Engagement

• Global Unity: The hosts reflect on how this mission united both the space community and the public, echoing the sense of togetherness last felt during the pandemic and Apollo-era events (14:00–16:21).
  • Quote (Maggie Aderin, 15:23):
    “Looking at the moon, it just reunites us and we're together… Anything that can unite us must be good. And we need it more than ever.”
• Viral Moments: The flyby’s emotional and visual milestones trended worldwide, generating unprecedented engagement (14:00–16:21).

5. Artemis vs. Apollo: Architecture & Approach

• Listener Q&A (17:04–22:02):
  • Artemis delays: Apollo advanced in incremental steps; initially Artemis aimed for big leaps but is now shifting back to a stepwise approach.
  • Gateway Station: NASA’s recent decision postpones/cancels Gateway, focusing resources on direct lunar surface missions (19:19–20:29).
    • Quote (Kristin Fisher, 17:47):
      “I think Apollo really had it right. And I think you see Artemis trying to move a bit more in that direction.”
  • International Partnerships & Future Focus: Artemis benefits from multi-national collaboration and has a longer-term vision for lunar presence (19:19–20:29).

6. Water Management in Space

• How the Crew Gets Water: Unlike ISS (which recycles water, including urine and sweat), Orion does not. Artemis II carries 240 liters in four tanks; careful rationing is essential (22:02–24:38).
  • Quote (Tim Peake, 22:38):
    “On the Orion spacecraft, they're going to have to carry all the water they need … The crew get about two and a half to three litres for their own consumption each day.”
• Redundancy & Backups: Water pouches are used for contingency (24:12–24:38).

7. Rocket Cryogenics Explained

• Rocket “steam rings”: Listeners asked about steam/smoke around launch pads. These are due to liquid hydrogen and oxygen venting as the rocket’s tanks keep fuel supercooled (26:24–27:22).
  • Quote (Maggie Aderin, 26:24):
    “What you're seeing is venting from the cryogenic system which is keeping it all cool.”

8. Snoopys, Sentiment & History

• Snoopy Pins Tradition: Artemis II carries 100 silver Snoopy pins (flight awareness mascots since 1968) as mementos (44:56).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Personal Reflection

  • (Jonathan Amos, 31:45):
    “My first Apollo memory is Apollo 15 back in 71, seven years old… just extraordinary. So, yeah, and it's great to have that enthusiasm again. Somewhere along the way, we lost it, didn't we? We lost our way. And I just feel now we've got it back.”

• On the Human Side of Science

  • (Jonathan Amos, 36:36):
    “He wasn't the only one choking up, right?...You could see Christina Cook. She was wiping tears from her eyes…I was really struggling…”

• On New Lunar Records

  • (Jonathan Amos, 32:30):
    “You get a new distance record…252,756 miles…just over 406,000 kilometers.”

• On Unifying Moments

  • (Kristin Fisher, 14:00):
    “Yesterday as I was watching this all play out… I felt like we were all back in it together, experiencing this thing for the first time together.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 02:11 - Naming the Carol crater: emotional tribute
• 04:18–06:09 - Science, lunar flyby, and eclipse descriptions (Tim recap)
• 06:09 - “We just went sci fi” and scientific awe
• 07:43–11:07 - First images and mission control atmosphere
• 12:37 - Eclipse glasses story
• 14:00–16:21 - Reflections on global unity space brings
• 17:04–22:02 - Listener Q&A: Artemis vs. Apollo
• 22:02–25:22 - Water aboard Orion and backups
• 26:24–27:22 - Rocket launch venting explained
• 29:25–43:54 - Jonathan Amos’ expert commentary, personal stories, and reflections on records, public meaning, and the naming process
• 44:56 - Snoopy pins tradition
• 46:24 - Vintage broadcast excerpt, comparison with Jim Lovell’s era

Additional Insights & Takeaways

• Historic Context: The Artemis II flyby echoed and extended the era of Apollo 8 and 13, combining technical achievement with human vulnerability and public engagement.
• Science & Wonder: Real-time description and immediate image sharing brought the lunar surface and a sci-fi eclipse to life for millions on Earth.
• Naming Impact: The “Carol” crater naming moved audiences and prompted discussion about how emotional moments in space become part of cosmic history.
• International & Intergenerational Connections: Artemis II stands on Apollo’s shoulders, with lessons learned shaping the path toward sustainability and global lunar exploration.
• Special Objects in Space: Traditions like flying Snoopy pins and surprise eclipse glasses connect nostalgia, legacy, and new adventures.

Conclusion

With its mix of raw emotion, scientific achievement, and public resonance, this episode captured a turning point for Artemis II and space exploration’s role in connecting humanity. The stories, images, and expert voices combined to create a sense of history in the making—and a hope that, much like Apollo before it, Artemis can inspire unity and wonder for a new generation.

For more Artemis II updates, listener questions, science deep-dives, and heartfelt moments, subscribe to 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II.