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BBC Host
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day or night. VRBoCare is here 24. 7 to help make every part of your stay seamless. If anything comes up or you simply need a little guidance, support is ready whenever you reach out from the moment you book to the moment you head home. We're here to help things run smoothly because a great trip starts with the right support. And hey, a good playlist doesn't hurt either.
Narrator
In April, we'll be covering the Artemis 2 mission. NASA ascending four astronauts on a 10 day trip around the Moon. From Monday 30 March, the BBC's space podcast 13 Minutes Presents will be the place to go for all the latest news and updates. Here's space scientist Maggie Adairin Pocock with more.
Apollo 17 Crew Member (Voice Clip)
And as we leave the moon in 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.
Maggie Adairin Pocock
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. 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 30 minutes presents.
Apollo 17 Crew Member (Voice Clip)
Artemis 23210. We have commit. We have
Maggie Adairin Pocock
Maggie Adairin Pocock. I'm a space scientist specializing in space telescapes and have been obsessed with space since a young age. And if you haven't yet discovered 13 minutes, previous seasons have told the story of the first moon landing, the near disaster of Apollo 13 and the space shuttle story. 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.
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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 rollout. 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 cruise that'll bring them safely home to their family at the conclusion of their 10 day journey.
Maggie Adairin Pocock
With me in the pod. For this special series of 13 minutes, we have an astronaut, Tim Peake. Tim spent 186 days on the International Space Station, during which time he conducted a spacewalk, ran a marathon, and performed over 250 experiments.
BBC Host
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. That number could increase remarkably in the coming years and Artemis 2 could well represent the beginning of the of that new age.
Maggie Adairin Pocock
Alongside us will be Christine Fisher, former space correspondent at cnn. And hopefully Kristin won't mind me mentioning that both her parents were space shuttle astronauts.
Christine 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.
Apollo 17 Crew Member (Voice Clip)
We rise together back to the moon and beyond.
Maggie Adairin Pocock
As well as Tim and Kristin will have the expertise of the BBC News science team too. Search for 13 Minutes presents Artemis 2. Wherever you get your BBC podcasts, Follow or subscribe so you don't miss an episode.
Christine Fisher
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Host: BBC World Service
Episode Date: March 30, 2026
Special Segment: Preview of the BBC Space Podcast "13 Minutes Presents Artemis II"
This episode features a special segment highlighting the upcoming coverage of NASA’s Artemis II mission on the BBC’s space podcast, "13 Minutes Presents." The segment explores the significance of humanity’s return to the Moon, provides insights from expert contributors, and teases what listeners can expect from the daily podcast as the mission unfolds.
Note: The main news stories from the Middle East are not included in this promotional segment.
"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."
— Maggie Adairin Pocock (01:48)
"If you haven't yet discovered 13 minutes, previous seasons have told the story of the first moon landing, the near disaster of Apollo 13 and the space shuttle story. And now I'm going to be bringing you a space story in real time as it happens."
— Maggie Adairin Pocock (02:47)
"The thousands of people that have brought us to this moment. The thousands of people that have been working here 24/7 preparing us for this rollout...The controllers that will look out for them on space, the recovery crews that'll bring them safely home"
— Maggie Adairin Pocock (paraphrasing NASA contributors) (03:27)
Tim Peake: British astronaut who spent 186 days on the ISS, performed a spacewalk, ran a marathon, and contributed to over 250 experiments.
"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 (as introduced and quoted, 04:16)
Christine Fisher: Raised in a family of astronauts, brings insider perspective and journalistic experience.
"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."
— Christine Fisher (04:50)
BBC Science Team: Will contribute latest news and analytical segments.
"And as we leave the moon in Taurus Littrow, we leave as we came and God willing as we shall return with peace and hope for all mankind."
— Apollo 17 Crew Member (01:27)
"Search for 13 Minutes presents Artemis 2. Wherever you get your BBC podcasts. Follow or subscribe so you don't miss an episode."
— Maggie Adairin Pocock (05:06)
(01:27) Apollo 17 Farewell Message:
"And as we leave the moon in Taurus Littrow...Godspeed the crew of Apollo 17."
(01:48) Maggie Adairin Pocock:
Reflecting on the gap since the last crewed Moon mission and the impact of Artemis II.
(02:47) Maggie Adairin Pocock:
Explaining the mission and the real-time podcast coverage.
(03:27) Acknowledgment of Supporting Teams:
Poignant tribute to everyone behind the scenes.
(04:16) Tim Peake:
Sharing perspective on space missions’ broader significance.
(04:50) Christine Fisher:
Personal testimony on the excitement of Artemis II as a new chapter.
(05:01) Apollo 17 Voice Clip:
"We rise together back to the moon and beyond."
The tone is enthusiastic, reverent, and hopeful—reflecting the awe and global significance of renewed lunar exploration. Speakers blend technical insight with accessible storytelling, aiming to excite both space enthusiasts and general listeners.
"13 Minutes Presents Artemis II" promises to be a daily, real-time chronicle of one of humanity’s most ambitious recent journeys: NASA’s 10-day Artemis II mission around the Moon. Expert hosts, historic context, and behind-the-scenes insights are at the heart of this new podcast series, making it compelling listening for anyone interested in the next giant leap in space exploration.