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281 episodes

10 | Artemis Explained: Countdown to splashdown
2026/04/10 | 17 mins.
Nine days down … only one to go.
The Artemis II mission is currently hurtling through space back to Earth, and is expected to land in the Pacific Ocean off the Californian coast tomorrow morning, Australia time.
Belinda and Jacinta find out what the four astronauts on board have been doing as they make their approach, including being sent on an impromptu scavenger hunt, and what they can expect to feel as they re-enter Earth's atmosphere.
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.
Get in touch with us: [email protected].
Credits:
Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler
Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor
Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove
This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.
09 | Artemis Explained: Next stop, Earth
2026/04/09 | 15 mins.
With under two days to go, the Artemis II astronauts are making the most of their remaining time in space.
Belinda and Jacinta take a look at what they've been up to in the lead up to re-entry, and what they can expect to feel as they return to Earth.
And if you've ever wondered what urine looks like as it's sprayed into space, well, we have you covered.
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.
Get in touch with us: [email protected].
Credits:
Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler
Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor
Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove
This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.
08 | Artemis Explained: Homeward bound
2026/04/08 | 17 mins.
After the high of the lunar flyby, the four Artemis II astronauts are now on the return leg of their mission while scientists pore over the thousands of images sent back to Earth so far.
Belinda and Jacinta delve into some surprising observations from the flyby, and answer more listener questions about everything from space navigation to the need for belts in weightlessness.
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.
Get in touch with us: [email protected].
Credits:
Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler
Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor
Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove
This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.
07 | Artemis Explained: Moon flyby success
2026/04/07 | 17 mins.
It’s been a big day for the Artemis II astronauts. They broke a 56-year record for the furthest distance humans have travelled from Earth, successfully looped around the Moon, and capped off the flyby with a solar eclipse.
Belinda and Jacinta break down what the crew saw as they gazed upon the Moon’s far side and why they lost contact with mission control for 40 minutes.
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.
Get in touch with us: [email protected].
Credits:
Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler
Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor
Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove
This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.
06 | Artemis Explained: Moon joy
2026/04/06 | 15 mins.
We’re at the pointy end of the Artemis II mission now: It’s the eve of the lunar flyby.
With the four astronauts now looped into the Moon’s gravitational clutches, they’ll have an intense few hours observing the lunar surface, taking photos, and breaking Apollo 13’s record for humans furthest from Earth.
Artemis Explained is a daily podcast from ABC Radio National. 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 [email protected]
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.
Get in touch with us: [email protected].
Credits:
Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler
Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor
Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove
This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.

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About Science Friction

In humanity's next giant leap, astronauts are heading back to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. We'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates, from lift-off to splashdown, and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon. The Challenger Legacy (Season 5) In January 1986, the Challenger space shuttle disintegrated 73 seconds after lift-off. This is the story of how the tragedy unfolded, the engineers who tried to stop it — and the enduring consequences for humanity's exploration of space. Artificial Evolution (Season 4): Three decades ago, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. Environment reporter Peter de Kruijff explores what's changed, where we are headed, and whether we're okay with it. Brain Rot (Season 3): How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use. Cooked (Season 2): Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works. AI Overlords (Season 1): AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.

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