NASA–ESA partnership: Artemis II paves the way for exploration of the Moon’s far side and south pole

From the show

François Picard is pleased to welcome Didier Schmitt, Head of Future Preparation for the European Space Agency. This mission is not merely symbolic, Schmitt explains, but a pivotal moment in contemporary space exploration. It's deeply technical and collaborative: a test of systems, of international partnership, and of our capacity to extend human presence beyond Earth once again. He highlights how this flyby mission allows us to validate critical technologies, from life support to propulsion, while also demonstrating the growing role of Europe through the European Service Module.

At the same time, he stresses the scientific importance of exploring the far side of the Moon and, in the near future, its South Pole, where untouched materials may reveal the Moon’s, and by extension, the Earth’s evolutionary history. Ultimately, this mission is seen as a necessary step in a longer journey: mastering lunar exploration before venturing further into deep space, including Mars. What we are witnessing is not a return to past achievements, but laying the foundation of a new era of exploration.