Alle afleveringen van 13 Minutes: Trouble with Hubble

Trouble with Hubble: 3. National disgrace

19 oktober 2026 · 38 min

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A devastating discovery is turning the crown jewel of astronomy into an embarrassing failure. Hubble isn’t seeing the universe as it should. Why are the pictures blurry? Nasa’s revolutionary telescope is in orbit and the space agency should be celebrating. Instead, it launches an investigation. Lees meer

Nasa’s Director of Astrophysics, Charlie Pellerin, has been on holiday in Japan. He returns to hear the devastating news. Meanwhile, it’s chief Nasa scientist, Ed Weiler’s job to face the press, and tell the world the truth.

What’s gone wrong? How are they going to fix it? Three hundred and eighty miles above Earth, Hubble floats alone in the darkness, with the problem hopelessly out of reach.

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg, and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

Archive: Mission audio and oral histories, Nasa History Office

Episode image: The Hubble Space Telescope's primary mirror being ground at the Perkin-Elmer Corporation's large optics fabrication facility in 1979, more than a decade before its very small but very significant flaw was discovered. Credit: Nasa

13 Minutes: Trouble with Hubble is a BBC Audio Science Unit production for the BBC World Service.

Presenter: Dame Dr Maggie Aderin

Series producer: Harrison Lewis

Sound design: Tony Churnside

Series editor: Ilan Goodman

Senior commissioning producer: Katy Davis

Commissioning editor: Jon Manel

Trouble with Hubble: 2. The eye opens

12 oktober 2026 · 42 min

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High above the Earth, the crew of Space Shuttle Discovery race against the clock to lift the Hubble Space Telescope from its storage bay and give it a new home in orbit. They have just eight hours to release the telescope and deploy its solar panels, giving Hubble the power it needs to begin its mission. Lees meer

If they fail, Hubble will be left drifting in space, a useless, $1.6 billion telescope, another devastating new setback for Nasa.

Featuring interviews with astronauts Kathy Sullivan and Steve Hawley.

Episode image: The Hubble Space Telescope being deployed on April 25, 1990. Credit: Nasa

Archive:
Mission audio and oral histories, Nasa History Office

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg, and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

13 Minutes: Trouble with Hubble is a BBC Audio Science Unit production for the BBC World Service.

Presenter: Dame Dr Maggie Aderin

Series producer: Harrison Lewis

Sound design: Tony Churnside

Series editor: Ilan Goodman

Senior commissioning producer: Katy Davis

Commissioning editor: Jon Manel

Trouble with Hubble: 1. A window on the universe

5 oktober 2026 · 34 min

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Our view of the universe could be transformed by one of the most ambitious scientific instruments ever built but a terrible disaster strikes Nasa. After decades of meticulous planning, will the Hubble Space Telescope make it into space? Lees meer

Nasa is in a state of emergency. The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986 means the space agency is under intense scrutiny. Its reputation is wounded, and public interest in spaceflight is beginning to fade. It is betting on a feat of engineering genius: the successful launch and deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope.

Nasa believes the telescope is capable of doing the impossible: peering deeper into the universe than ever before and unlocking some of its greatest secrets.

But Hubble is delicate and extraordinarily complex and it will be Astronaut Kathy Sullivan’s responsibility to help get it into space, no matter what.

Archive: Mission audio and oral histories, Nasa History Office

Episode image: The Hubble Space Telescope ready for transportation to the Kennedy Space Centre in 1989. Credit: Nasa

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg, and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

13 Minutes: Trouble with Hubble is a BBC Audio Science Unit production for the BBC World Service.

Presenter: Dame Dr Maggie Aderin

Series producer: Harrison Lewis

Sound design: Tony Churnside

Series editor: Ilan Goodman

Senior commissioning producer: Katy Davis

Commissioning editor: Jon Manel

Trouble with Hubble: Trailer

28 september 2026 · 2 min

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Buckle up for the latest epic story from the BBC’s space podcast. The Hubble Space Telescope was revolutionary but a flaw almost ruined the dream. It was hoped it would answer the most fundamental questions ever asked: How did it all begin? Where are we going? Are we alone? Maggie Aderin tells the story of how the telescope that transformed our understanding of the universe, almost ended in disaster. Lees meer

Launches on 5 October.

13 Minutes: Trouble with Hubble is a BBC Audio Science Unit production for the BBC World Service.

Hosted by space scientist Maggie Aderin.

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg, and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

Archive: Mission audio and oral histories, Nasa History Office

Artemis II: Quick update: New season coming soon

22 september 2026 · 2 min

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Some big news: We’ve been making a new season. It’s about Nasa’s Hubble Space Telescope. If you haven’t already, follow or subscribe, so you will get the full trailer automatically. That will be published next week. Lees meer

Maggie Aderin will tell the story of how the telescope that transformed our understanding of the universe, almost ended in disaster.

13 Minutes: Trouble with Hubble launches on 5 October 2026.

In the meantime, please keep sending us your questions: 13minutes@bbc.co.uk

We’ll be back to answer those in a few months – more details to follow.

You can read our privacy notice here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5YD3hBqmw26B8WMHt6GkQxG/lives-less-ordinary-privacy-notice

13 Minutes is the BBC World Service’s space podcast.

Artemis II: 14. The learnings

4 mei 2026 · 42 min

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The team are back together. Astronaut Tim Peake and space scientist Maggie Aderin are joined by space journalist Kristin Fisher and Artemis II astronaut Jeremy Hansen, after his historic journey.
Jeremy reflects on the mission, adapting to life back on Earth after journeying to the far side of the Moon, and looks ahead to future Artemis missions.
The Canadian astronaut, who first spoke to 13 Minutes from quarantine before launch, answers the burning questions from the team. He describes the moment a hull breach alarm sounded 20 minutes before the Trans Lunar Injection was due to fire.
Then we get to the big one – what’s next for the Artemis programme?
Season 4 theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.
13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II is a BBC Audio Science production for the BBC World Service.
Presenters: Tim Peake and Maggie Aderin
Producers: Alex Mansfield and Sophie Ormiston
Series editor: Martin Smith
Commissioning team: Jon Manel, Anne Dixey and Katy Davis Lees meer

Artemis II: 13. Splashdown

11 april 2026 · 36 min

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After 9 days, 1 hour, 32 minutes and 15 seconds and 1.1 million kilometres of travel, the Orion “Integrity” probe splashed down successfully on April 11th at 00:07:32 UTC (GMT). Lees meer

Tim Peake, Maggie Aderin, Kristin Fisher, Rebecca Morelle and the 13 Minutes podcast touches down with this episode. We are also joined by Nasa legend and former shuttle astronaut, Dr Anna Fisher to reflect on the mission.

13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II will return...

But before then, watch Maggie and Tim in BBC Horizon ‘s “Artemis: To the Moon and Back", to see and learn more about the years leading up to this mission.

Season 4 theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II is a BBC Audio Science production for the BBC World Service.

Presenters: Tim Peake and Maggie Aderin
Producers: Alex Mansfield and Sophie Ormiston
Series editor: Martin Smith
Commissioning team: Jon Manel, Anne Dixey and Katy Davis

Artemis II: 12. Please return to your seats

10 april 2026 · 40 min

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The Artemis II mission hurtles towards re-entry and splashdown. The 13 Minutes crew run through the schedule that includes 28,864 mph, searing heat, 11 parachutes, and 3.9g forces. Lees meer

Long-time Nasa scientist Dr Phil Metzger talks about the issue of AVCOAT – the ablative coating that will shield the capsule’s flat underside. And we also talk about his work at Nasa’s “Swamp Works” where much was studied about building structures on the moon for a moonbase.

Season 4 theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

You can get in touch with the 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II team by emailing 13minutes@bbc.co.uk.

13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II is a BBC Audio Science production for the BBC World Service.

Presenters: Tim Peake and Maggie Aderin
Producers: Alex Mansfield and Sophie Ormiston
Series editor: Martin Smith

Artemis II: 11. Science surprises

9 april 2026 · 43 min

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The Artemis II crew are getting ever closer to home and preparing for re-entry. Lees meer

Hosts astronaut Tim Peake and space scientist Maggie Aderin are joined by space journalist Kristin Fisher, who shares the latest updates from the mission. Plus, we answer more of your burning questions.

And Dr Kelsey Young, lead science officer and lunar science lead for Artemis II, shares her excitement about the crew’s lunar observations so far. She tells us what she’s been surprised by, what new science we’ve already learnt, and how they trained the astronauts to become geologists.

You can get in touch with the 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II team by emailing 13minutes@bbc.co.uk.

Season 4 theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II is a BBC Audio Science production for the BBC World Service.

Presenters: Tim Peake and Maggie Aderin
Producers: Alex Mansfield and Sophie Ormiston
Series editor: Martin Smith

Artemis II: 10. How to train your astronaut

8 april 2026 · 29 min

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After all the excitement of the lunar fly-by, the Artemis II crew are taking a breather, and have a long-distance call with the astronauts on board the International Space Station.
Besides the Artemis II and ISS crews, there are other humans up in space too. China’s Tiangong space station is currently home to three taikonauts. Hosts astronaut Tim Peake and space scientist Maggie Aderin are joined by space journalist Kristin Fisher to discuss China’s progress in their lunar program so far.
And Artemis II chief training officer Jacki Mahaffey tells Tim, Maggie and Kristin how the crew were trained to expect the unexpected, how astronaut preparation has changed since the Apollo days, and how she feels about the upcoming splashdown.
You can get in touch with the 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II team by emailing 13minutes@bbc.co.uk. Lees meer

Season 4 theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II is a BBC Audio Science production for the BBC World Service.

Presenters: Tim Peake and Maggie Aderin
Producers: Alex Mansfield and Sophie Ormiston
Series editor: Martin Smith

Artemis II: 9. Bye bye, fly-by

7 april 2026 · 45 min

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It’s been a busy 24 hours for the Artemis II crew. They have completed a lunar fly-by, surpassed the furthest distance humans have ever travelled from planet Earth, gone through a communications black out period, and witnessed a lunar eclipse. Lees meer

Host space scientist Maggie Aderin is joined by space journalist Kristin Fisher who, like many of us, stayed up to watch the fly-by. And BBC News science editor Rebecca Morelle calls in from Houston to give us the latest from mission control. The first pictures back were published by Nasa just as this episode began recording.

And former BBC space correspondent Jonathan Amos joins the “13 minutes community”, giving his perspective on the historic mission and the events of the last 24 hrs.

Season 4 theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

You can get in touch with the 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II team by emailing 13minutes@bbc.co.uk.

13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II is a BBC Audio Science production for the BBC World Service.

Presenters: Tim Peake and Maggie Aderin
Producers: Alex Mansfield and Sophie Ormiston
Series editor: Martin Smith

Artemis II: 8. Final approach

6 april 2026 · 40 min

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Now thoroughly within the lunar gravitational sphere of influence, Artemis II’s crew perform final preparations for the flyby and nearest approach. Very shortly they will break the human distance record from earth. Lees meer

But listeners ask, why will they go further than Apollo 13 went?

They will shortly be the only people to see a unique solar eclipse, survey parts of the lunar far side never gazed upon with human eyes, and enter a communication blackout for around 45 minutes, with only themselves for company.

Astronaut psychology is one of the most important areas of space science. Before working on Nasa's Twins study, Dr Mathias Basner developed a test for astronauts’ cognition testing. Why? Because astronauts are such over-performers that ordinary tests that the rest of us would be subjected to barely register. So… how did Tim score when he had to do them?

But tonight, all eyes are on the moon.

Season 4 theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

You can get in touch with the 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II team by emailing 13minutes@bbc.co.uk.

13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II is a BBC Audio Science production for the BBC World Service.

Presenters: Tim Peake and Maggie Aderin
Producers: Alex Mansfield and Sophie Ormiston
Series editor: Martin Smith

Artemis II: 7. A family photo

5 april 2026 · 40 min

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With the toilet venting problem endangering the spacecraft Integrity’s Michelin rating, BBC science editor Rebecca Morelle drops by to update us on the unmentionables. The team answer more listeners questions; what do we mean by zero-g, and will there ever be permanent relay satellites around the moon to prevent the forthcoming communications blackout? Lees meer

Tim Peake, Kristin Fisher and Maggie Aderin discuss the impact on mission architecture that the plurality of commercial launch providers are having in this new space race.

The Artemis II crew have also been sending down more of their photographs of Earth and the growing Moon from Integrity, the Orion spacecraft. With more and more talk on the mission becoming camera related, photographic restoration specialist and bestseller “Apollo Remastered” author Andy Saunders joins Tim, Maggie and Kristin to discuss what we can learn from these pictures and how photography has changed since Nasa’s early space programs.

You can get in touch with the 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II team by emailing 13minutes@bbc.co.uk.

Season 4 theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II is a BBC Audio Science production for the BBC World Service.

Presenters: Tim Peake and Maggie Aderin
Producers: Alex Mansfield and Sophie Ormiston
Series editor: Martin Smith

Artemis II: 6. Halfway there

4 april 2026 · 36 min

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Nasa’s Artemis II crew are now closer to the Moon than they are to Earth. Hosts astronaut Tim Peake and space scientist Maggie Aderin are joined by space journalist Kristin Fisher, who gives us the latest on the crew’s momentous journey, as the Integrity spacecraft begins its gentle deceleration before the point when the moon’s gravity starts pulling it more strongly than the earth’s. Lees meer

And the team answer a question from listener Mark. Has Artemis II had to dodge space junk on its way to the Moon, and if so, how is it detected and avoided?

And planetary scientist Professor Sara Russell joins Tim, Maggie and Kristin to explain how the Moon got its water, what resources are drawing private companies to the Moon, and what a future lunar base would have to look like to withstand the Moon’s conditions.

Season 4 theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

13 Minutes Presents Artemis Two is a BBC Audio Science production for the BBC World Service.

Presenters: Tim Peake and Maggie Aderin
Producers: Alex Mansfield and Sophie Ormiston
Series editor: Martin Smith

Artemis II: 5. No going back

3 april 2026 · 34 min

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The loop round the Moon target is confirmed by the last major engine burn of the mission. It’s the first time the European Service Module engine has been used this way. Lees meer

Sian Cleaver of Airbus Defence and Space, who has been central to the construction of the service module joins Tim, Maggie and Kristin to talk about flapping solar panels and future, even more ambitious, Artemis missions.

Season 4 theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

13 Minutes Presents Artemis Two is a BBC Audio Science production for the BBC World Service.

Presenters: Tim Peake and Maggie Aderin
Producers: Alex Mansfield and Sophie Ormiston
Series editor: Martin Smith

Artemis II: 4. Launch after-party

2 april 2026 · 26 min

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The moment we’ve all been waiting for… Nasa’s Artemis II mission has launched. Lees meer

Next up is the big decision whether to commit to the lunar flyby and the big engine burn that will need. Testing systems and life-support continues, with engine burns slowly lifting the height of the earth orbit, raising the speed at which the Trans Lunar Injection (TLI) leap into history can begin.

Season 4 theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

13 Minutes Presents Artemis II is a BBC Audio Science production for the BBC World Service.

Presenters: Tim Peake and Maggie Aderin
Producers: Alex Mansfield and Sophie Ormiston
Series editor: Martin Smith

Artemis II: 3. Man around the Moon

1 april 2026 · 41 min

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Astronaut Jeremy Hansen talks to the BBC before his first space launch on Artemis II. What will lift-off be like and how will he feel? He joins BBC Science Editor Rebecca Morelle and our host, astronaut Tim Peake, as we move ever closer to the historic mission around the Moon.
Space scientist and host Maggie Aderin will also give her insight, with just hours to go before the expected launch. The team are joined by space journalist Kristin Fisher, with all the latest from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, from where lift-off will happen. Space is in Kristin’s blood as both her parents were astronauts.
We give a rundown of immediate post-lift-off plans for the mission, and profile the Artemis II astronauts, before an extended interview with the Canadian crew member Jeremy Hansen.
Jeremy talks about Artemis II being his first spaceflight, his hopes for inspiring a watching world, and the international nature of the flight.
Season 4 theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music. Lees meer

13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II is a BBC Audio Science production for the BBC World Service.

Presenters: Tim Peake and Maggie Aderin
Producers: Alex Mansfield and Sophie Ormiston
Series editor: Martin Smith

Artemis II: 2. Rocket Man

31 maart 2026 · 27 min

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Nasa’s Artemis II mission looks set to launch towards the Moon on April 1st, after months of delays. Lees meer

Presenters Tim Peake and Maggie Aderin are joined by space journalist Kristin Fisher, who has just touched down in Florida. Kristin fills us in on the latest from the Kennedy Space Center and how the countdown to launch is looking.

And we take a more detailed look at the machine standing ready on launchpad 39B. We’re joined by John Blevins, chief engineer for Nasa’s Space Launch System (SLS) – in other words, the rocket that will blast the four astronauts towards the Moon. John shares how crucial the SLS is to the mission and what we can expect from it on launch day.

Season 4 theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

13 Minutes Presents Artemis Two is a BBC Audio Science production for the BBC World Service.

Presenters: Tim Peake and Maggie Aderin
Producers: Alex Mansfield and Sophie Ormiston
Series editor: Martin Smith

Artemis II: 1. Why humans are returning to the Moon

31 maart 2026 · 41 min

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Nasa’s Artemis II mission looks set to launch towards the Moon on April 1st, after months of delays.
Presenters Tim Peake and Maggie Aderin are joined by space journalist Kristin Fisher and BBC News Science Editor Rebecca Morelle for the latest updates from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. Lees meer

And more than 50 years on from the last lunar crewed mission, why is Nasa returning to the Moon now? And what is the international context? Journalist and author Tim Marshall calls in to discuss the new space race.

Join us as we follow the Artemis II mission every day for the next two weeks.

13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II is a BBC Audio Science production for the BBC World Service.

13 Minutes Season 4 theme music is by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

Presenters: Tim Peake and Maggie Aderin
Producers: Alex Mansfield and Sophie Ormiston
Series editor: Martin Smith

Artemis II: Trailer: The new mission to the Moon

17 februari 2026 · 5 min

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The countdown is on to 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II, following Nasa’s mission to loop around the Moon. We’ll have an Artemis II episode every day. Nasa is hoping to return to the Moon for the first time in more than half a century. The story of Artemis II will be told by space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock, British astronaut Tim Peake, and US space journalist Kristin Fisher. Strap yourself in for another epic journey from the BBC’s space podcast, 13 Minutes. The Artemis II mission aims to send four astronauts – on a spacecraft called Orion - to loop around the Moon. They plan to go further from Earth than any human in history. Orion’s crew is scheduled to be Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II will begin around two days before the launch. Lees meer

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

The Space Shuttle: 10. Return to flight

15 september 2025 · 33 min

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The space shuttle is back. Discovery stands waiting on launchpad 39B at Kennedy Space Center. It has taken more than two years to get here. Nasa has listened and changed. After all these months of work, this should be one of the safest missions ever flown. Lees meer

But as Discovery finally rises skyward, the Challenger disaster is on everyone’s mind. There are unspoken questions about the very future of spaceflight.

Some scenes in this series use recreated sound effects.

13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle is a BBC Audio Science Unit production for the BBC World Service.

Hosted by space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock.

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg, and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

Archive:
Return to flight, Nasa Archives, 1988
Ronald Reagan speaks at STS-4 launch, Reagan Library, 1982
STS-26 coverage, CNN, CBS News, BBC, 1988
Mission audio and oral histories, Nasa History Office

The Space Shuttle: 9. What is it all for?

8 september 2025 · 38 min

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Is human spaceflight worth the risk? It’s a time of soul searching for the whole shuttle crew. The space shuttle programme is put on hold for two years, as Nasa and the team come to terms with what happened. Lees meer

Some leave but others stay on board to help. The shuttle team work to rebuild Nasa and the programme. But some ask the question: what is it all for?

Some scenes in this series use recreated sound effects.

13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle is a BBC Audio Science Unit production for the BBC World Service.

Hosted by space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock.

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg, and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

Archive:
Birth of the space shuttle, Nasa Archives, 1972
Ronald Reagan addresses nation after STS-51-L accident, Reagan Library, 1986
Richard Nixon launches Nasa's space shuttle program, CBS News, 1972
STS-26 launch coverage, BBC, 1988
Mission audio and oral histories, Nasa History Office

The Space Shuttle: 8. A major malfunction

1 september 2025 · 51 min

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The Challenger tragedy shocks a nation, as millions watch on TV screens across the USA. Lees meer

Something has gone catastrophically wrong with the launch of space shuttle mission STS-51L. As they watch a fireball engulf the spacecraft, nobody in mission control has any idea what went wrong. Could it have been prevented?

We turn back the clock to a meeting the day before the launch which might have changed everything.

This episode contains scenes some listeners may find upsetting.

Some scenes in this series use recreated sound effects.

13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle is a BBC Audio Science Unit production for the BBC World Service.

Hosted by space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock.

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg, and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

Archive:
Ronald Reagan announces Roger Commission inquiry, Reagan Library, 1986
Roger Boisjoly, Larry Mulloy and Dr James Fletcher, statements to the Rogers Commission, 1986
Mission audio and oral histories, Nasa History Office

The Space Shuttle: 7. Teacher in space

25 augustus 2025 · 43 min

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Nasa needs to kick-start new interest in the space shuttle. After multiple missions, public attention is waning and funding could suffer. Nasa want to do something about it. And come up with an innovative plan. Lees meer

How about recruiting an astronaut from the classroom? The first teacher on a space mission. Nasa runs a competition, and the winner is Christa McAuliffe, a 36-year-old social studies teacher from New Hampshire. But has she got what it takes for the challenges of space?

This episode contains scenes some listeners may find upsetting.

Some scenes in this series use recreated sound effects.

13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle is a BBC Audio Science Unit production for the BBC World Service.

Hosted by space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock.

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg, and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

Archive:
Ronald Reagan announces teacher in space programme, Reagan Library, 1984
George Bush announces Christa McAuliffe as teacher in space, Reagan Archive, 1984
Teacher training KC-135 flight, Nasa Archives, 1985
Teachers watch launch, Nasa Archives, 1985
Pre-flight press conference STS-51-L, 1986
Mission audio and oral histories, Nasa History Office

The Space Shuttle: 6. Satellite for sale

18 augustus 2025 · 45 min

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Can the crew rescue the million-dollar space satellite lost in orbit? Two car-sized satellites, worth $75 million each, are stranded in space. Five astronauts have been selected to bring them back. It’s something that has never been attempted before. Lees meer

In outer space, even the simplest of tasks can be a challenge, let alone trying to snatch a satellite from orbit. And right when the crew think they’ve got it all under control, they discover a problem they’re not prepared for. It’s time to improvise.

This episode contains strong language.

Some scenes in this series use recreated sound effects.

13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle is a BBC Audio Science Unit production for the BBC World Service.

Hosted by space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock.

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg, and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

Archive:
STS 41-B coverage, CBS News and KTRH News, 1984
STS-51-A coverage, CBS News, 1984
Lost in space, BBC, 1985.
Ronald Reagan announces teacher in space programme, Reagan Library, 1984
Mission audio and oral histories, Nasa History Office

The Space Shuttle: 5. Space truck

11 augustus 2025 · 44 min

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President Ronald Reagan declares the space shuttle open for business. It’s Independence Day 1982. And we’re in the sweltering Mojave desert of California. Lees meer

Carrying commercial satellites into orbit is one of the shuttle’s jobs. But things start to go wrong for the astronauts when a $75-million satellite is lost in space.

And that’s just the start of a series of unfortunate events. Can they fix it and prove the space shuttle’s worth?

Some scenes in this series use recreated sound effects.

13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle is a BBC Audio Science Unit production for the BBC World Service.

Hosted by space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock.

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg, and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

Archive:
Ronald Reagan declares Space Shuttle open for business, Reagan Library, 1982
The story of satellite WESTAR 6 and Palapa, CBS News, 1986
STS 41-B coverage, CBS News and KTRH News, 1984
Mission audio and oral histories, Nasa History Office

The Space Shuttle: 4. The 35 new guys

4 augustus 2025 · 43 min

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Nasa recruits women and ethnic minorities for the first time to its astronaut class. In the beginning of American spaceflight, all astronauts selected for the programme came from the same background. They were all male, all white – all test pilots. Lees meer

But now, with a revolutionary new spacecraft, and changing views in society, Nasa needs to change. They’re not just looking for people to pilot the shuttle, but engineers, scientists, and medical doctors.

Can Nasa change its culture?

This episode contains strong language.

Some scenes in this series use recreated sound effects.

13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle is a BBC Audio Science Unit production for the BBC World Service.

Hosted by space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock.

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg, and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

Archive:
Mercury seven press conference, Nasa Archives, 1959
Nichelle Nichols Nasa advertisement, Nasa Archives, 1977
Where dreams come true, Nasa Archives, 1979
First female and African-American astronauts train at Nasa, ABC News, 1978
Ronald Reagan declares Space Shuttle open for business, Reagan Library, 1982
Sally Ride interview, ITN, 1983
Mission audio and oral histories, Nasa History Office

The Space Shuttle: 3. Glass rocket

28 juli 2025 · 46 min

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Columbia reaches orbit. But astronaut Bob Crippen discovers that the shuttle has been damaged – can he and John Young make it home safely? Lees meer

Parts of the heatshield to protect the shuttle from searing temperatures on re-entry to Earth have fallen off during the journey into space. This new heatshield has never been tested before in orbit. Could more tiles be missing?

Some scenes in this series use recreated sound effects.

13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle is a BBC Audio Science Unit production for BBC World Service.

Hosted by space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock.

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg, and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

Archive:
Nichelle Nichols NASA advertisement, Nasa Archives, 1977
STS-1 Columbia landing sequence, ABC News, CBS News, 1981
Mission audio and oral histories, Nasa History Office

The Space Shuttle: 2. The greatest test flight

21 juli 2025 · 43 min

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The astronauts count down to flying a brand-new spacecraft for the very first time. If they pull it off, they will earn a place in space history. Lees meer

The rocket is built. The astronauts are trained. Mission control is ready. Space Shuttle Columbia is about to attempt the unheard of. A crewed test flight.
It's 12 April 1981. The morning of launch for the very first space shuttle mission. The shuttle is sitting on the launchpad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. And strapped into their seats on the flight deck of orbiter Columbia are commander John Young and pilot Bob Crippen.

Everyone at Nasa has been waiting almost a decade for this day. It’s taken an army of designers, engineers, ground crew, flight controllers, and backroom staff to get to this point. To bring this vehicle to life. Will this new machine fly?

This episode contains scenes some listeners may find upsetting.

Some scenes in this series use recreated sound effects.

13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle is a BBC Audio Science Unit production for BBC World Service.

Hosted by space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock.

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg, and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

Archive:
Launch of STS-1, BBC, ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, 1981
Mission audio and oral histories, Nasa History Office

The Space Shuttle: 1. The spaceplane

14 juli 2025 · 44 min

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Can Nasa build the most complex flying machine in space history? The plan is to create a permanent human presence in space. Lees meer

It’s Spring 1969 - two months before the launch of Apollo 11 – the first US mission to land humans on the moon. But meanwhile, hidden away from public view, Nasa is thinking the unthinkable.

Maverick engineer Dr Max Faget is already a legend within Nasa. He’s fascinated by what could be next for human spaceflight. In a backroom, of Building 36 at Johnson Space Center, he invites a handful of engineers to a meeting. One of them is Ivy Hooks, a mathematician and engineer. And one of the first female engineers at Nasa.

Some scenes in this series use recreated sound effects.

13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle is a BBC Audio Science Unit production for BBC World Service.

Hosted by space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock.

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg, and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

Archive:
Richard Nixon launches Nasa’s space shuttle programme, CBS News, 1972
Mission audio and oral histories, Nasa History Office

The Space Shuttle: Introducing: The Space Shuttle

25 juni 2025 · 3 min

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To launch like a rocket and land like a plane. The space shuttle: A sci-fi dream that became reality and changed spaceflight forever. Told by the Nasa astronauts, engineers, scientists and support staff who made it happen. Lees meer

Our multi award-winning podcast returns on 14 July 2025 with: 13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle. Presented by space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock. She tells the story of triumph and tragedy, and the human story behind the technology and scientific endeavour.

A BBC Audio Science Unit production for the BBC World Service.

Season 3 theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg, and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.

Archive: Mission audio and oral histories, Nasa History Office.

Apollo 13: 7. Resurrection

8 juni 2020 · 1 uur 1 min

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Can the Apollo 13 crew survive re-entering Earth’s atmosphere aboard the revived Odyssey spacecraft? After four days in a spacecraft with dwindling power and oxygen supplies, the astronauts face a series of critical tests on their journey home. One mistake could see Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise incinerated or lost forever in deep space. In the final moments of radio silence, Nasa mission control begins to fear the worst. Lees meer

Hosted by Kevin Fong.

Archive: Nasa
Starring
Jim Lovell
John Aaron
Dave Reed
Hal Loden
Jerry Bostick
Jim Kelly
Fred Haise
Charlie Duke
Joe Kerwin
Gene Kranz, courtesy of the Johnson Space Center Oral History Project
Chuck Dietrich
Marilyn Lovell
Gerry Griffin

Written by Kevin Fong and Andrew Luck-Baker

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg for Bleeding Fingers Music

A BBC Radio Science Unit production for the BBC World Service.

Apollo 13: Bonus 2. John Aaron

17 april 2020 · 40 min

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Nasa flight controller John Aaron talks to Kevin Fong about the ill-fated Apollo mission, from the moment of learning about the explosion to his fears during the spacecraft’s final descent through the Earth’s atmosphere. Lees meer

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg for Bleeding Fingers Music.

Apollo 13: Bonus 1. Jim Lovell

15 april 2020 · 41 min

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Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell talks to Kevin Fong about the doomed Nasa mission, from the shocking moment of the explosion to the enormous relief of splashdown. Lovell reflects on survival, the global impact of Apollo 13, and what it meant to finally come back to Earth. He also shares the story of the lunar landmark he named in honour of his wife. Lees meer

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg for Bleeding Fingers Music.

Apollo 13: 6. Earth in view

13 april 2020 · 31 min

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The Apollo 13 spacecraft goes off course. With no computer to guide them, the astronauts must rely on their flying skills to perform a high-stakes manoeuvre, timed with Commander Jim Lovell’s wristwatch, to get them back on target. If they fail, they risk being marooned in space. Their spaceflight home hangs in the balance. Lees meer

Hosted by Kevin Fong.

Archive: Nasa
Starring
Chuck Deiterich
Jim Lovell
Poppy Northcutt
Fred Haise
Jim Kelly
John Aaron
Joe Kerwin

Written by Kevin Fong and Chris Browning

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg for Bleeding Fingers Music.

A BBC Radio Science Unit production for the BBC World Service.

Apollo 13: 5. Life support

6 april 2020 · 35 min

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Nasa mission control helps Apollo 13’s cold, exhausted astronauts survive deadly carbon dioxide levels in the spacecraft. The constant troubleshooting to stay alive has taken its toll, and the crew of Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise are at the limits of human endurance. Back home in Houston, the Nasa flight surgeon is so worried about the astronauts’ lack of sleep that he turns to Marilyn Lovell with an unusual request. Lees meer

For a film about how the crew made the makeshift CO2 adaptors: www.bbcworldservice.com/13minutes

Presented by Kevin Fong.

Archive: Nasa

Starring:
Jim Lovell
Merlin Merritt
Anthony England
Ed Smylie, courtesy of the Johnson Space Center Oral History Project
Fred Haise
Marilyn Lovell
Ken Mattingly
Charles A Berry
Joe Kerwin
Gerry Griffin

Written by Kevin Fong and Chris Browning

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg for Bleeding Fingers Music.

Produced by the BBC Radio Science Unit for the BBC World Service.

Apollo 13: 4. Power brokers

30 maart 2020 · 45 min

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Apollo astronauts freeze in darkness, struggling to save power. If the battery dies, so do the space crew. And as the damaged spacecraft loses its navigation systems, they must rely on the Sun for guidance. The astronauts' plight becomes a national crisis. Millions across the world tune in to the television coverage. Meanwhile, Nasa mission control faces a race against time to devise a plan, launching one of the greatest rescue missions in the history of space exploration. Lees meer

Hosted by Kevin Fong.

Archive:
Nasa
Johnson Space Center Oral History Project

Starring:
Gerry Griffin
Jim Kelly
Gene Kranz, courtesy of the Johnson Space Center Oral History Project
John Aaron
Jim Lovell
Fred Haise
Dave Reed
Jerry Bostick
Chuck Deiterich
Merlin Merritt
Bill Peters

Written by Kevin Fong and Mark Rickards

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg for Bleeding Fingers Music.

Produced by the BBC Radio Science Unit for the BBC World Service.

Apollo 13: 3. Lifeboat

23 maart 2020 · 45 min

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The Apollo 13 astronauts escape to the lunar module, but their problems are far from over. The crew must now survive in a spacecraft never meant for such a journey. Will this fragile refuge be enough? Meanwhile, Nasa mission control faces a critical test of leadership and ingenuity to keep the space crew alive. At home, Marilyn Lovell waits anxiously, unsure what to tell her kids. Lees meer

Hosted by Kevin Fong.

Archive:
Nasa
Johnson Space Center Oral History Project

Starring:
Glynn Lunney
Ken Mattingly (courtesy of the Johnson Space Center Oral History Project)
Merlin Merritt
Jim Lovell
John Aaron
Fred Haise
John Devaney
Jerry Bostick
Poppy Northcutt
George Kalan
Dave Reed
Chuck Deiterich
Marilyn Lovell
Susan Lovell
Jay Lovell

Written by Kevin Fong and Mark Rickards

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg for Bleeding Fingers Music.
Produced by the BBC Radio Science Unit for the BBC World Service.

Apollo 13: 2. Death of the Odyssey

16 maart 2020 · 46 min

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Nasa mission control scrambles to diagnose the Apollo 13 disaster. Aboard the spacecraft, warning lights flash and oxygen leaks into space, plunging Commander Jim Lovell and his crew into chaos. In Houston, his wife Marilyn receives a call, unaware the astronauts are losing far more than the Moon landing. With power failing in the Odyssey spacecraft and time running out, the crew face desperate action to survive. Lees meer

Hosted by Kevin Fong.

Archive:
Nasa
Johnson Space Center Oral History Project

Starring:
Jim Lovell
Jack Lousma
Gene Kranz, courtesy of the Johnson Space Center Oral History Project
Sy Liebergot
Bob Heselmeyer, courtesy of the Johnson Space Center Oral History Project
Fred Haise
John Aaron
Marilyn Lovell

Written by Kevin Fong and Andrew Luck-Baker

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg for Bleeding Fingers Music.
Produced by the BBC Radio Science Unit for the BBC World Service.

Apollo 13: 1. Time bomb

9 maart 2020 · 44 min

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Nasa’s third mission to land astronauts on the Moon almost ends in tragedy. Apollo 13 is doomed from the start - it will never touch down on the lunar surface. Even before launch, a last-minute crew change and superstitions about the number 13 cast a shadow over the spaceflight. When an explosion triggers a catastrophic cascade of events, the space crew’s lives hang in the balance. Lees meer

Hosted by Kevin Fong.

Archive:
Nasa and CBS
Johnson Space Center Oral History Project

Starring:
Jim Lovell
Marilyn Lovell
Fred Haise
John Aaron
Gerry Griffin
Gene Kranz, courtesy of the Johnson Space Center Oral History Project
Charlie Duke
Jay Lovell
Sy Liebergot
Jack Lousma

Written by Kevin Fong and Andrew Luck-Baker

Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg for Bleeding Fingers Music.

Produced by the BBC Radio Science Unit for the BBC World Service.
This episode was updated on 16 March 2020.

Apollo 13: Trailer: The countdown

19 februari 2020 · 4 min

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Jump on board a doomed mission to the Moon. Apollo 13: the extraordinary story, told by the people who flew it and saved it. Lift off is on 9 March.
#13MinutestotheMoon
Presenter: Kevin Fong
Written by Kevin Fong and Andrew Luck-Baker
Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg for Bleeding Fingers Music Lees meer

13 Minutes to the Moon: Bonus: The making of the music

23 december 2019 · 22 min

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Oscar and Grammy-winning composer Hans Zimmer reveals how he crafted the iconic 13 Minutes to the Moon theme. In this special episode, Zimmer reflects on the art of storytelling, his creative process, and the power of music to capture the wonder of space, sharing why this marks his first-ever score for a podcast. Lees meer

Hosted by Kevin Fong.

Theme music by Hans Zimmer for Bleeding Fingers Music.

#13MinutestotheMoon
www.bbcworldservice.com/13minutes

13 Minutes to the Moon: 12. Live from Houston

20 juli 2019 · 59 min

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Fifty years after the historic Apollo 11 Moon landing, we’re at Houston’s Rice University, where President John F. Kennedy delivered his iconic “We choose to go to the Moon” speech to reflect on one of humanity’s greatest achievements. In this season finale, a panel of leading space experts discuss the success of the Apollo programme, how it transformed science and technology and what it means for the future of lunar exploration. Lees meer

Hosted by Kevin Fong.

Starring:
John Aaron
Gerry Griffin
Walt Cunningham
Peggy Whitson

Theme music by Hans Zimmer for Bleeding Fingers Music

#13MinutestotheMoon
www.bbcworldservice.com/13minutes

This episode is being released 50 years after the first moon landing.

13 Minutes to the Moon: 11. The 13 minutes

15 juli 2019 · 19 min

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Nasa archive audio of the astronauts’ dramatic 13 minutes to the Moon, as heard by mission control. All of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin’s tense moments as they make space history. The recording captures the intense pressure and technical challenges during the landing, including low fuel and communication dropouts. Lees meer

This is Nasa’s archive recording of Capcom Charlie Duke’s communications loop from 20 July 1969.

#13MinutestotheMoon

13 Minutes to the Moon: 10. ‘For all mankind’

15 juli 2019 · 46 min

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The epic story of the final 13 minutes of the Apollo Moon landing, including Nasa archive tape of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin’s historic space mission. The men and women behind this pioneering space mission share their memories and reflections on Apollo 11. Lees meer

Hosted by Kevin Fong.

We hear memories and reflections on Apollo 11 from:

Charlie Duke
Poppy Northcutt
John Aaron
Jim Lovell
Margaret Hamilton
George Abbey
Michael Collins
Bill Carpentier

Theme music by Hans Zimmer for Bleeding Fingers Music.

#13MinutestotheMoon
www.bbcworldservice.com/13minutes

13 Minutes to the Moon: 9. Tranquility Base

8 juli 2019 · 39 min

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Apollo 11 mission is on the edge of failure, minutes away from the Moon landing. Fuel is low, the tech is stretched and astronaut Neil Armstrong is struggling with the rocky lunar surface. He’s flying Eagle like it’s never flown before as he searches for a safe place to land. Lees meer

Hosted by Kevin Fong.

Starring:
Steve Bales
Charlie Duke
Gerry Griffin

Courtesy of the Johnson Space Center Oral History Project:
Neil Armstrong
Gene Kranz
Jack Garman
Bob Carlton

Theme music by Hans Zimmer for Bleeding Fingers Music

#13MinutestotheMoon
www.bbcworldservice.com/13minutes

13 Minutes to the Moon: 8. ‘We’re go for powered descent’

1 juli 2019 · 41 min

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The 13-minute descent to the Moon begins, and it’s all going wrong for Apollo 11. They’re going too fast, alarms are flashing and the crew loses contact with Nasa mission control. The epic moments that almost jeopardised the first Moon landing. Lees meer

Hosted by Kevin Fong.

Starring:
Charlie Duke
Steve Bales
Don Eyles

Courtesy of the Johnson Space Center Oral History Project:
Neil Armstrong
Gene Kranz
Jay Greene
Jack Garman
Bob Carlton

Theme music by Hans Zimmer for Bleeding Fingers Music.

#13MinutestotheMoon
www.bbcworldservice.com/13minutes

13 Minutes to the Moon: 7. Michael Collins: The third man

24 juni 2019 · 42 min

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The story of Michael Collins, Apollo 11’s third astronaut, in Nasa’s historic spaceflight. He played a crucial role as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the Moon. During those final 13 minutes to the lunar surface, his presence in space allows Nasa mission control to communicate with the ‘Eagle’ when it all starts to go wrong. Lees meer

Hosted by Kevin Fong.

Theme music by Hans Zimmer for Bleeding Fingers Music.

#13MinutestotheMoon
www.bbcworldservice.com/13minutes

13 Minutes to the Moon: 6. Saving 1968

17 juni 2019 · 47 min

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Nasa astronauts circle the Moon for the first time, capturing an iconic photo of Earth. Back home, the country is rocked by war, riots and the assassinations Martin Luther King and Robert F. Kennedy. The crew of the historic spaceflight lift the nation’s spirits with a televised Christmas Eve broadcast from space. Lees meer

Hosted by Kevin Fong.

Starring:
John Aaron
Bill Anders
Frank Borman
Jerry Bostick
Michael Collins
Jim Lovell
Poppy Northcutt
Katherine Johnson courtesy of WHRO
Chris Kraft courtesy of the Johnson Space Center Oral History Project

Theme music by Hans Zimmer for Bleeding Fingers Music.

#13MinutestotheMoon
www.bbcworldservice.com/13minutes

This episode was updated on 19 June 2019.

13 Minutes to the Moon: 5. The fourth astronaut

10 juni 2019 · 48 min

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How a briefcase-sized computer, less powerful than a smartphone, pioneered space tech for the first Moon landing. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin rely on the software to guide their spaceflight to the lunar surface. Developed by a pioneering team of programmers, including trailblazing scientist Margaret Hamilton, the Apollo Guidance Computer helps usher in the digital age. Lees meer

Hosted by Kevin Fong.

Starring:
Ramon Alonso
Elaine Denniston
Charlie Duke
Don Eyles
Eldon Hall
Margaret Hamilton
Dan Lickly

Theme music by Hans Zimmer for Bleeding Fingers Music

#13MinutestotheMoon
www.bbcworldservice.com/13minutes