Moral Maze - Artemis 2 and the ethics of human space flight
Download Artemis 2 and the ethics of human space flight
Today, humanity reaches towards the Moon once more. The first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years.
But as NASA’s Artemis 2 lifts off, some troubling moral questions follow in its wake.
Are the billions of pounds being spent a visionary investment in our future, or a luxury we can't afford while poverty, disease, and a climate crisis demand urgent action here on Earth?
Who benefits from space exploration? The wealthy nations that lead it or all of humanity?
Is there really a moral imperative to explore the possibility of how to live on other planets?
And ... as we venture outwards, do we risk repeating the mistakes of colonial expansion?
That's our Moral Maze tonight ... the ethics of human space flight
WITNESSES: Dr Simeon Barber, Lunar Scientist at Open University; Dr Stuart Parkinson, Executive Director of Scientists for Global Responsibility; Dr Tony Milligan, Philosopher in Space Ethics; Mary-Jane Rubenstein, Professor of Religion and Science in Society at Wesleyan University PANELLISTS: Carmody Grey, Anne McElvoy, James Orr and Sonia Sodha PRESENTER: William Crawley
Published on Thursday, 2nd April 2026.
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