For the first time in 50 years, humanity is on the cusp of returning to the Moon, with the Artemis II lunar flyby mission set to launch in the coming days.

But if we've already been to the Moon, why bother going back now? And who will be on board when the spacecraft blasts off?

Welcome to the first episode of Artemis Explained. From lift-off to splashdown, we'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.

If you have a question about the Artemis mission you'd like Belinda and Jacinta to answer in a future episode, email sciencefriction@abc.net.au

To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II mission to the moon, search ‘Science Friction: Artemis Explained podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts.

Credits:

• Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler
• Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor
• Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove

This episode was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.