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The recent NASA mission sent humans further into space than they've ever gone before, and "Artemis: To the Moon and Back" details all the key moments in the build-up to and execution of that journey.
Here's how to watch "Artemis: To the Moon and Back" online from anywhere with this VPN — and potentially for free.
"Artemis: To the Moon and Back" premieres on Wednesday, April 15 on BBC Two and will be shown again on Sunday, April 19.
• WATCH FREE — BBC iPlayer (U.K.)
• U.S. — Discovery+
• Canada — Discovery+
• Watch BBC when abroad — use NordVPN 100% risk-free
Four astronauts spent ten days on a mission to loop around the moon and show us all previously unseen images of space, our own planet, and that mysterious rock in the sky we look up to each night. The successful launch and return of the Artemis II flight has captured the hearts and minds of the world, but the story actually began three-and-a-half years ago. With this new feature-length documentary, viewers can see the meticulous preparation that went into making the mission a success.
This 59-minute Horizon special offers fascinating insight from the astronauts, engineers, technicians, and mission directors who turned an ambitious plan into reality.
Ready for liftoff? Read on to find out how to watch "Artemis: To the Moon and Back" online, on TV and from anywhere.
How to watch "Artemis: To the Moon and Back" for FREE
Watch "Artemis: To the Moon and Back" from anywhere
Thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), "Artemis: To the Moon and Back" should be available to Brits no matter where they are. The software allows your devices to appear to be back in the U.K. and watch iPlayer for free, as if you were back home.
Not all VPNs works for this – but NordVPN does (we use it daily) and you can get an exclusive offer below:
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're away from the U.K. and want to view a U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.
3. Sit back and watch the show. Head to BBC iPlayer to watch "Artemis: To the Moon and Back" online and on-demand.
How to watch "Artemis: To the Moon and Back" around the world
How to watch "Artemis: To the Moon and Back" in the United States
"Artemis: To the Moon and Back" is available on Discovery+ in the U.S. from Thursday, April 16 from 8 p.m. ET.
U.K. resident visiting America? NordVPN can unlock your stream so you can watch this intriguing documentary for free on BBC iPlayer right now.
How to watch "Artemis: To the Moon and Back" online in Canada
Yes. "Artemis: To the Moon and Back" will be available on Discovery+ in Canada as of Thursday, April 16.
Brits in Canada can also use NordVPN to watch the documentary now on BBC iPlayer from anywhere.
Can I watch "Artemis: To the Moon and Back" online in Australia?
At the moment, "Artemis: To the Moon and Back" is not streaming directly in Australia. However, there is a chance it will be available on PBS streaming services eventually, as the documentary was co-comissioned by PBS.
As things stand, if you are a Brit working or on vacation Down Under, the only way to watch the documentary is via BBC iPlayer by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Who is involved in "Artemis: To the Moon and Back"?
The four members of the Artemis II crew, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, will be front and center for this documentary.
There will also be expert insight from esteemed scientist Dame Dr Maggie Aderin and British astronaut Tim Peake.
Full synopsis for "Artemis: To the Moon and Back"
As per the BBC, this is exactly what you can expect from the "Artemis: To the Moon and Back" documentary...
"History in the making; the inside story of the Artemis II mission around the moon and back. Four astronauts - Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen - have just completed a ten-day mission going deeper into space than anyone has gone before. They are the first humans to circumnavigate the moon since 1972.
"For the last three and a half years, this Horizon special has had privileged access inside NASA to chronicle their mission. We hear from astronauts, engineers, technicians and mission directors - exploring what it takes to mount a moonshot in the 21st century - with further insights from some of the biggest names in space science, including Dame Dr Maggie Aderin and British astronaut Tim Peake.
"The ultimate goal for Artemis is to establish a permanent presence on the lunar surface, where astronauts can live and work for weeks at a time. It’s hugely ambitious, fraught with danger and very expensive – so far, the programme has cost in excess of $90 billion.
"We follow as engineers grapple with reusing existing rocket technology and adapting a faulty heatshield design - any error could have catastrophic consequences for the astronauts on board. All the while, China’s National Space Administration is heading for the same lunar real estate being targeted by NASA; the starter pistol has been fired on a new space race.
"When the Artemis II rocket and capsule are ready, they roll out from the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. After two delays due to fuel leaks, a launch date is set – 1 April 2026. For the crew, a three-year wait is over. Time for lift-off.
"The launch is spectacular – 2.2 million kilograms of fuel are required to propel the rocket into Low Earth Orbit. From there, the spacecraft performs a series of engine burns, as the astronauts acclimatise to life in deep space, where they are exposed to the full effects of cosmic radiation beyond the protection of Earth’s magnetosphere.
"On day six, they arrive at the moon – in time to witness a unique solar eclipse and carry out hours of lunar observation. In the process, they name a crater after Reid Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll, who died of cancer in 2020 – it is a moment of high emotion for the crew.
"When the lunar fly-by is over, Artemis II starts its return trip to Earth – arriving back at 32 times the speed of sound. It is a critical test of the heatshield that caused so much concern on Artemis I. How will hold up to the intense heat and stress of re-entry?
"And finally - with splashdown - the focus switches to future Artemis missions, when astronauts will land on the moon and start building a base on the lunar surface. Truly, this is the dawn of a new age of space exploration."
What else can I watch on BBC iPlayer?
Lots – including other documentaries like "The Other Bennet Sister", "Michael Jackson: An American Tragedy", "To Think Like A Killer", and "Speechless". There are also other space-related shows such as "The Sky at Night", "Solar System", and "Tim Peake: How to be an Astronaut".
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