AfterMaths: From Apollo to Artemis - The Maths Behind Space Travel
From The Primary Maths Podcast by Jon Cripwell
April 17, 2026 · 28 min · Episode 67
About this episode
Jon and Becky explore the mathematics behind space travel, comparing the Apollo missions with the Artemis programme and highlighting the importance of mathematics in education.
In this episode of The Primary Maths Podcast, Jon and Becky explore the mathematics behind space travel, inspired by the recent Artemis mission and the return of astronauts from their journey around the Moon. Starting with the sheer scale of the challenge, they unpack the numbers, distances, and precision required to send humans into space and bring them safely home again. The conversation compares the Apollo missions of the 1960s with today’s Artemis programme, highlighting how technology has advanced dramatically while the underlying mathematics has remained the same. From trajectory calculations and launch angles to predicting where the Moon will be, this episode brings big mathematical ideas into a form that teachers can share with their pupils. The episode then focuses on the remarkable story of Katherine Johnson, whose calculations were critical to the success of early space missions, including Apollo 11. Her work reminds us that mathematics is far more than arithmetic. It is about reasoning, modelling, and solving real problems that matter. Along the way, Jon and Becky reflect on what this means for the classroom, why the maths we teach in primary school matters more than…
People in this episode
Host: Jon Cripwell
Guest: Becky
Topics covered
- mathematics in space travel
- Apollo missions
- Artemis programme
- trajectory calculations
- Katherine Johnson
- education
- inspiring children in mathematics
Keywords
- space travel
- mathematics
- Apollo
- Artemis
- Katherine Johnson
- trajectory
- education
- primary school
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Apollo, Artemis
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