Artemis II: Trailer: The new mission to the Moon

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II
Host: BBC World Service
Episode: Artemis II: Trailer – The New Mission to the Moon
Release Date: February 17, 2026

---

Overview

This trailer episode introduces a new season of the BBC’s acclaimed space podcast, now titled 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II. The season will follow NASA’s landmark Artemis II mission—the first attempt to send astronauts back around the Moon since the Apollo program, more than 50 years ago. The show promises daily episodes during the mission, offering real-time updates, expert insights, and a human perspective on this historic journey.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Return to the Moon (02:05 - 03:36)

• Historical Context:

  • The Apollo missions ended in 1972 with Apollo 17, marking the last time humans traveled beyond low Earth orbit.
  • Artemis II will be NASA’s first crewed mission to the Moon in decades.

• Mission Specifics:

  • Artemis II is set to send four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—aboard the Orion spacecraft on a 10-day journey looping around the Moon.
  • The plan is for the crew to journey further from Earth than any human in history.

• Podcast Mission:

  • Host Maggie Aderin introduces the return of the "13 Minutes" podcast, which will cover Artemis II in real time, drawing listeners into the unfolding story as it happens.
  • "If humans are returning to missions around the Moon, well, the BBC Space podcast 13 Minutes has to return too."
    — Maggie Aderin (02:44)

2. The Team Behind the Podcast (04:02 - 04:56)

• Expert Hosting and Contributors:

  • Maggie Aderin (space scientist) will lead the storytelling, joined by:
    • Tim Peake: Briton and former International Space Station astronaut.
    • Kristin Fisher: US space journalist with deep family ties to the Space Shuttle era.
    • Rebecca Morelle: BBC Science Editor.
  • The team aims to blend technical details, historical parallels, and the human impact of such a far-reaching space mission.

• Astronaut Perspective:

  • "Having lived and worked in space, I know just how extraordinary these missions are—not only for the astronauts, but for everyone on the ground who makes them possible."
    — Tim Peake (04:21)

  • Peake emphasizes the small number of people who've experienced space and how Artemis II could mark a new beginning for human spaceflight.

3. Human Stories in Space Exploration (04:56 - 05:22)

• Personal Connection:
  • "I grew up surrounded by astronauts and spaceflight, but Artemis II does feel different. This is the beginning of a whole new era of exploration... a big part of what we're doing is telling the deeply human story behind the mission, the training, the risk, the families they will leave behind, and the awe of watching people travel deeper into space than ever."
    — Kristin Fisher (04:56)

4. Logistics, Launch Timeline, and What to Expect (05:22 - 05:44)

• Daily Coverage:

  • The exact timing of Artemis II’s launch is still pending, but the podcast will kick off with its first main episode about two days prior to liftoff, followed by daily updates.

• Future Seasons Teased:

  • Two more seasons telling epic space stories from history are in the works, to be released after the Artemis II coverage.

• Call to Action:

  • Maggie encourages listeners to "buckle up again and get ready for liftoff," urging new listeners to follow or subscribe:
    "If you haven’t already, follow or subscribe so you don’t miss an episode."
    — Maggie Aderin (05:44)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "As we leave the Moon and Taurus Littrow, we leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind. Godspeed, the crew of Apollo 17."
  — Apollo 17 Astronaut, Eugene Cernan (01:43 – historical audio)

• "We have thousands of people that have brought us to this moment... preparing us for this rollout... the controllers that will look out for them on space... the recovery crews that'll bring them safely home at the conclusion of their 10-day journey."
  — Historical reflection on the scale of teamwork behind lunar missions (03:36)

• "13 Minutes is coming back with 13 Minutes Presents Artemis II... bringing you a space story in real time as it happens every day for around two weeks."
  — Maggie Aderin (02:50)

---

Important Timestamps

• 01:43 – Reflective farewell from the final Apollo mission; sets the emotional and historical tone.
• 02:05 – Maggie Aderin opens discussion of Artemis II and the podcast’s mission.
• 04:02 – Introduction of expert co-hosts and contributors.
• 04:21 – Tim Peake shares firsthand astronaut perspective.
• 04:56 – Kristin Fisher on the human dimension of Artemis II.
• 05:44 – Announcement of launch coverage and upcoming seasons.

---

Closing

With a storied team of space professionals and journalists, the new season of 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II promises a dynamic blend of technical insight, personal stories, and daily, real-time coverage of humanity’s bold return to the Moon. The trailer emphasizes the historical weight of Artemis II and spotlights the breadth of expertise and passion the BBC team brings to documenting this new chapter in space exploration.

Transcript

[BBC Announcer]

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the uk.

[LinkedIn Ads Narrator]

Ever invest in something that seemed incredible at first but didn't live up to the hype? Like those $5 roses at a gas station? Or a secondhand piece of technology that breaks in the first 10 minutes? Marketers know that feeling. We optimize for the numbers that look great, impressions reach and reacts. But when they don't show revenue, well, that's a not so great conversation with the CFO. LinkedIn has a word for bullspend. Now you can invest in what looks good to your CFO. LinkedIn Ads generates the highest roas of all major ad networks. You'll reach the right buyers because you can target by company, industry, job title and more. So cut the bull. Spend. Advertise on LinkedIn, the network that works for you. Spend $250 on your first campaign on LinkedIn ads and get a 250 credit for the next one. Just go to LinkedIn.com broadcast that's LinkedIn.com broadcast. Terms and conditions apply.

[Grainger Ads Narrator]

When you manage procurement for multiple facilities, every order matters. But when it's for a hospital system, they matter even more. Grainger gets it and knows there's no time for managing multiple suppliers and no room for shipping delays. That's why Grainger offers millions of products in fast, dependable delivery so you can keep your facility stocked, safe and running smoothly. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Apollo 17 Astronaut / Historical Clip]

And as we leave the moon and towards Littrow, we leave as we came and God willing, as we shall return with peace and hope for all mankind. Godspeed, the crew of Apollo 17.

[Maggie Adair]

It's more than half a century since anyone went to the moon. The Apollo missions came to an end in 1972. But now humans are set to return. If all goes to plan, sometime soon, NASA's Artemis 2 mission will send four astronauts to loop around the moon. Hopefully they will go further from Earth than any human in history. Okay, and if humans are returning to missions around the moon? Well, the BBC Space podcast 13 Minutes has to return to. 13 Minutes is coming back with 13 Minutes presents Artemis 2. Hello, I'm Maggie Adair in Poco. I love telling you the story of the space shuttle. And now I'm going to be bringing you a space story in real time as it happens every day for around two weeks. We'll have the latest news and we'll get to understand the details of the mission and we'll hear from the people who are making it happen.

[Apollo 17 Astronaut / Historical Clip]

We have thousands of people that have brought us to this moment. The thousands of people that have been working here 247 preparing us for this roll out. The thousands of people across the country that trained and prepared this crew to undertake this mission. The controllers that will look out for them on space. The recovery crews that'll bring them safely home to their family at the conclusion of their 10 day journey.

[Maggie Adair]

With me in the pod. For this special series of 13 minutes, we have an astronaut, Tim Peaker. Tim spent 186 days on the International Space Station, during which time he conducted a spacewalk, ran a marathon and performed over 250 experiments.

[Tim Peake]

Having lived and worked in space, I know just how extraordinary these missions are. Not only for the astronauts, but for everyone on the ground who makes them possible. Until now, fewer than 700 people have had the privilege of going into space. Space. That number could increase remarkably in the coming years. And Artemis 2 could well represent the beginning of that new age.

[Maggie Adair]

Alongside us will be Kristin Fisher, former space correspondent at cnn. And hopefully Kristin won't mind me mentioning that both her parents were space shuttle astronauts.

[Kristin Fisher]

Yeah, Maggie, I grew up surrounded by astronauts and spaceflight, but Artemis 2 does feel different. This is the beginning of a whole new era of exploration. And a big part of what we're doing is telling the deeply human story behind the mission, the training, the risk, the families they will leave behind on Earth and just the awe of watching people travel deeper into space than any other humans in history.

[Maggie Adair]

As well as Tim and Kristin, we'll have the expertise of the BBC News Science Team 2. We don't know yet exactly when Artemis 2 will be launching, but watch this.

[Apollo 17 Astronaut / Historical Clip]

Space and liftoff of Artemis 1.

[LinkedIn Ads Narrator]

We rise together back to the moon and beyond.

[Maggie Adair]

We hope to bring you the first episode of 13 Minutes presents Artemis 2. Around two days before liftoff. We're also working on two more seasons of 13 Minutes. Two more epic space stories from history. We'll release the first of these later in 2026. But first it's Artemis Artemis 2. So buck up again and get ready for liftoff. If you haven't already, follow or subscribe so you don't miss an episode. 13 minutes presents Artemis 2 from the BBC World Service. Coming soon.

[BBC Announcer]

At the BBC we go further so you see clearer. With a subscription to BBC.com and the BBC app, you get unlimited articles and videos ad free podcasts, the BBC News channel streaming live 24. 7 plus hundreds of acclaimed documentaries from less than a dollar a week for your first year. Read watch and listen to trusted independent journalism and storytelling. It all starts with a subscription to BBC.com and the BBC app. Find out more at BBC.com unlimited.