10 | Artemis Explained: Countdown to splashdown

About this episode

The episode discusses the Artemis II mission's return to Earth and the experiences of the astronauts on board.

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: sciencefriction@abc.net.au . 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.

People in this episode

Hosts: Belinda Smith, Jacinta Bowler

Topics covered

• space exploration
• Artemis II
• astronauts
• re-entry
• scavenger hunt

Keywords

• Artemis II
• space
• astronauts
• re-entry
• Pacific Ocean
• scavenger hunt
• science

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Australia, Pacific Ocean, Californian, Gadigal, Wurundjeri

More episodes of Science Friction

• 12 | Artemis Explained: What a ride · April 15, 2026 · 17 min
• 11 | Artemis Explained: Mission accomplished · April 11, 2026 · 17 min
• 09 | Artemis Explained: Next stop, Earth · April 9, 2026 · 15 min
• 08 | Artemis Explained: Homeward bound · April 8, 2026 · 17 min
• 07 | Artemis Explained: Moon flyby success · April 7, 2026 · 17 min
• 06 | Artemis Explained: Moon joy · April 6, 2026 · 15 min