Richard Easther: Auckland University astrophysicist talks historical and scientific significance of Artemis mission
·9 min
The episode begins with hosts Matt Heath and Tyler Adams introducing the Artemis 2 mission, where four astronauts completed a lunar flyby and are due for re-entry. They bring on guest Richard Easther, an astrophysicist and physics professor at Auckland University. Easther first compares Artemis to Apollo, noting it uses technology 50 years ahead but with a similar capsule design. He states that 89% of Artemis 2 is testing technology for future moon missions, with science as a secondary aspect. The mission path took astronauts further from Earth due to a different orbital alignment around the moon. Easther highlights a viral online misconception about lighting on the moon's dark side. He then details the re-entry process as the most dangerous part, with no escape options and speeds of 40,000 km/h requiring intense spacecraft protection. The hosts and Easther discuss how much of re-entry is automated versus steerable. The conversation shifts to public inspiration, with Easther noting NASA's focus on the 'Artemis generation' and positive public engagement. He explains how Artemis helps pave the way for Mars missions by testing landing technologies. Looking ahead to Artemis 3, Easther mentions NASA's relief over smooth operations aside from toilet issues. When asked about Artemis's primary driver, Easther asserts it is politics, not science or becoming a multi-planetary species, comparing it to Apollo's political roots. Both hosts and Easther share personal emotional responses to the mission's footage and live streams. Easther provides a timeline of 2-3 years for a moon landing, pending tests of landers in Earth orbit. He concludes that mission success depends on meeting KPIs and safe re-entry, which would make NASA very happy.
