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Are we still going to Mars?

David Aaoronvitch and guests discuss the future of space exploration and ask whether humans will ever get to Mars.

A month ago the Artemis II crew landed safely in the Pacific Ocean, completing their historic space mission to the far side of the moon. It鈥檚 been several decades since the last human mission to the moon - although this time there was no landing. However, the 4 astronauts travelled further from earth than any human ever has so far. David Aaronovitch asks his guests whether space exploration is back in fashion and if so what鈥檚 next? And are we any closer to a human mission to Mars and what would we hope to achieve there?

Guests:
Dr Julia Balm, Research Associate, Freeman Air and Space Institute in the School of Security Studies, King鈥檚 College London
Professor Andrew Coates, Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London
Libby Jackson, Head of Space, Science Museum, London

Presenter: David Aaronovitch
Producers: Caroline Bayley, Sally Abrahams, Kirsteen Knight
Production Co-Ordinator: Maria Ogundele
Sound Engineer: James Beard
Editor: Richard Vadon

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28 minutes

Last on

Mon 11 May 2026 20:00

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  • Thu 7 May 2026 16:00
  • Mon 11 May 2026 20:00

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