Podcast Summary: "Calentando motores para volver a la Luna: La participación europea en la misión Artemisa II"

Podcast: Más de uno – Onda Cero
Date: 5 February 2026
Host: Carlos Alsina, with Begoña and Alberto Aparici
Special Guest: Guillermo González Gómez, Ingeniero jefe de producción ESA

Overview

In this engaging and humor-laden episode, Carlos Alsina and his team discuss Europe's vital role in the upcoming Artemis II lunar mission. The conversation blends nostalgia for past lunar voyages (notably, the Apollo 11 mission) with excitement and detailed insights about the modern, collaborative approach to returning humans to the Moon after more than 50 years. The episode features a phone interview with Guillermo González Gómez, chief of production for Orion’s European Service Module at the ESA, who unpacks how European engineering is crucial to Artemis II's success.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nostalgia and Context: From Apollo to Artemis

• The segment opens with playful banter about Alberto Aparici's home-bound “library” making radio noises, serving as a segue to radio broadcasts from the 1969 Apollo 11 Moon landing anniversary (04:00).
• The team recalls previous specials and books about the Apollo missions, highlighting the resonant cultural and technological significance of lunar exploration.

“[La misión Artemis II] va a ser la primera que suba más allá de 500 kilómetros desde el año 1972. Más de 50 años sin ir un poquito más allá de la piel de la Tierra.”
— Alberto Aparici, 04:49

2. Artemis II Mission: Goals and Timeline

• Artemis II is scheduled for the first months of 2026, but adjustments may push the date to March (05:08).
• Unlike Apollo 11, Artemis II won’t land astronauts; instead, it will orbit the Moon and return to Earth—testing systems for longer future stays (05:26).

“El objetivo…es demostrar que podemos llegar a la Luna, que la tecnología nos permite hacer este viaje de ida y vuelta sin problemas…Todo este proceso durará 10 días.”
— Alberto Aparici, 05:26

3. European Contribution: The Service Module

• The Orion spacecraft consists of two main modules:
  • Crew Module (American): Where astronauts live (06:44).
  • Service Module (European - built by Airbus, ESA): Supplies air, power, and thermal regulation (06:51).
• The Service Module is crucial for life support, and its assembly is an international effort with contributions from across Europe, including a Spanish-manufactured onboard computer (13:05).

"La nave de ahora...se llama Orión...y tiene dos módulos... Uno es estadounidense... El otro, el módulo de servicio, lo ha hecho la ESA."
— Aparici, 06:36 / 06:51

• Modules are assembled in Bremen, Germany, then shipped nearly complete to Cape Canaveral, where NASA integrates the two halves (09:24).

4. Behind the Scenes: Interview with Guillermo González Gómez (ESA)

What Does the European Service Module Do?

• Manages “consumables”: carrying separate pressurized tanks for oxygen and nitrogen (11:03).
  • The resulting atmosphere is richer in oxygen than Earth but not pure oxygen, striking a safe balance for astronauts.
• Regulates internal temperature—actively heating/cooling, as thermal extremes in space are significant (11:56).

"No es una atmósfera de oxígeno puro... pero tampoco es una atmósfera como la de la Tierra. Es más rica en oxígeno."
— Guillermo González Gómez, 11:03

Spanish Technology Onboard

• A vital thermal regulation computer in the Service Module is designed and manufactured in Spain (13:05).
• All Orion service modules will incorporate these systems for Artemis flights across the coming decade (13:56).

"El sistema de regulación de temperatura…español, diseñado en España, construido en España."
— Guillermo González Gómez, 13:05

Production and Future Missions

• Multiple modules are already built and delivered to the US, with several more in production for future Artemis missions (13:56).
• Artemis I flew uncrewed in 2022; Artemis II will be the first crewed mission with European hardware aboard (14:44).

5. ESA’s Broader Human Spaceflight Involvement

• In addition to Artemis, Europe continues sending astronauts to the ageing International Space Station.
• Lunar exploration (and eventual lunar landing missions) will also include European astronauts (15:58).

“A corto y medio plazo seguimos mandando astronautas europeos... Los vuelos de astronautas europeos dentro del programa Artemis también.”
— Guillermo González Gómez, 15:58

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

- On teamwork and assembly

"Todas las piezas de todas las partes de Europa...van a Bremen... Allí se integra todo...y después viaja a Cabo Cañaveral...llega prácticamente terminado."
— Guillermo González Gómez, 09:24

- On the spirit of the mission

"Vamos a volver a mandar gente a la Luna, que no es poca cosa."
— Alberto Aparici, 04:42

- Amusing analogies

"Ah, mitad y mitad, como las pizzas que se piden los jóvenes. Mitad de champi, mitad de carbonara."
— Begoña, 06:17

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:09 – Opening banter, Alberto’s “melancólica” library sounds
• 02:09 – Discussion about books and radio, segue to Moon landing nostalgia
• 04:42 – Transition to Artemis II and upcoming lunar return
• 05:08 – Artemis II timetable, what the mission entails
• 06:41 – Role of the European Service Module
• 07:36 – Introduction of guest expert Guillermo González Gómez (ESA)
• 08:12 – How the Service Module is produced and assembled
• 11:03 – How air, water, and temperature are managed for astronauts
• 13:05 – Made-in-Spain onboard systems
• 13:56 – Future modules and the manufacturing outlook
• 14:44 – Artemis I as precursor, uncrewed testing
• 15:58 – ESA’s human spaceflight agenda beyond Artemis

Conclusion

This episode masterfully connects the past glory of lunar exploration with today’s cutting-edge international collaboration. Listening reveals how integral Europe—and specifically Spain—are to humanity’s return to the Moon via Artemis II. Guillermo González Gómez demystifies the complexity with engaging, plain language, making the engineering marvel accessible and exciting.
The tone is both light and informative, filled with camaraderie, curiosity, and pride in collective scientific achievement.

A must-listen for anyone interested in space exploration, international teamwork, and the next giant leap for humankind.