The Artemis program isn’t just NASA’s return to the Moon — it’s the foundation for humanity’s multi-planetary future.

In this episode of HELLO FUTURE, Kevin Cirilli sits down with Rich Cooper of the Space Foundation to break down Artemis II, the first crewed mission of the Artemis era. Slated to send four astronauts around the Moon aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft atop the powerful Space Launch System rocket, Artemis II represents the most significant step in human space exploration since Apollo 17 more than 50 years ago.

Cirilli and Cooper explore why this mission matters far beyond headlines: how it tests critical deep-space systems in the harsh radiation and thermal environment of cislunar space, paves the way for a sustained lunar presence, and accelerates the technologies needed for eventual Mars missions. They discuss the international partnerships powering Artemis, the growing role of commercial space companies, the strategic importance of cislunar space, and what successful execution of Artemis II will mean for America’s leadership in space, scientific discovery, and inspiring the next generation of explorers.

From lunar gateways and resource utilization to national security implications in orbit, this conversation reveals why Artemis II is a pivotal moment that will shape humanity’s expansion into the solar system.

If Apollo showed us we could go to the Moon, Artemis II is proof that we’re going back to stay — and that the future of human spaceflight is closer than it has ever been.

Find all of the latest HELLO FUTURE episodes at mtf.tv. 

Kevin Cirilli, former chief Washington correspondent for Bloomberg TV and Radio, founded mtf.tv. His work has appeared on Bloomberg News, Yahoo Finance, Fox Business Network, CBS News, CNN, Fox News, C-SPAN, and more.

The Artemis program isn&rsquo;t just NASA&rsquo;s return to the Moon &mdash; it&rsquo;s the foundation for humanity&rsquo;s multi-planetary future.
In this episode of HELLO FUTURE, Kevin Cirilli sits down with Rich Cooper of the Space Foundation to break down Artemis II, the first crewed mission of the Artemis era. Slated to send four astronauts around the Moon aboard NASA&rsquo;s Orion spacecraft atop the powerful Space Launch System rocket, Artemis II represents the most significant step in human space exploration since Apollo 17 more than 50 years ago.
Cirilli and Cooper explore why this mission matters far beyond headlines: how it tests critical deep-space systems in the harsh radiation and thermal environment of cislunar space, paves the way for a sustained lunar presence, and accelerates the technologies needed for eventual Mars missions. They discuss the international partnerships powering Artemis, the growing role of commercial space companies, the strategic importance of cislunar space, and what successful execution of Artemis II will mean for America&rsquo;s leadership in space, scientific discovery, and inspiring the next generation of explorers.
From lunar gateways and resource utilization to national security implications in orbit, this conversation reveals why Artemis II is a pivotal moment that will shape humanity&rsquo;s expansion into the solar system.
If Apollo showed us we could go to the Moon, Artemis II is proof that we&rsquo;re going back to stay &mdash; and that the future of human spaceflight is closer than it has ever been.
Find all of the latest HELLO FUTURE episodes at <a href="mtf.tv">mtf.tv. </a>
Kevin Cirilli, former chief Washington correspondent for Bloomberg TV and Radio, founded mtf.tv. His work has appeared on Bloomberg News, Yahoo Finance, Fox Business Network, CBS News, CNN, Fox News, C-SPAN, and more.

HELLO, FUTURE with Kevin Cirilli is the daily podcast where tomorrow’s biggest questions come alive. Are aliens already visiting us? Could your next job be in space? What if satellites could find lost cities, or stop the next wildfire? What happens if America loses the space race… or if every satellite went dark tomorrow? From Mars to UFOs, from flying cars to “civilization starter kits,” each episode blends science, technology, and imagination with the real choices shaping our world. It’s smart, fast, and curious, built for anyone who’s ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what comes next. This isn’t science fiction. It’s the future, knocking on your door. 

Kevin Cirilli is the founder of meet the future™ (mtf.tv). Cirilli has advised some of the nation’s leading military nonprofit philanthropists and policymakers and he is an emerging playwright. As a journalist, he is the former Chief Washington Correspondent for Bloomberg Television and Radio, where he covered the White House, Congress, and global economic policy while anchoring a daily geopolitical business affairs program.

Before founding mtf.tv, Kevin appeared across nearly every major network — including CBS News, MSNBC, CNN, FOX News, C-SPAN, NPR, and Yahoo Finance — providing nonpartisan political and economic analysis and conducting exclusive interviews with some of the most influential figures of the 21st century. He was also a media fellow at the Atlantic Council in the Global China Hub.

He has reported from across the United States and around the world — including assignments in Israel, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia — covering pivotal moments in global affairs and the people driving change.

HELLO, FUTURE with Kevin Cirilli&nbsp;is the daily podcast where tomorrow&rsquo;s biggest questions come alive. Are aliens already visiting us? Could your next job be in space? What if satellites could find lost cities, or stop the next wildfire? What happens if America loses the space race&hellip; or if every satellite went dark tomorrow? From Mars to UFOs, from flying cars to &ldquo;civilization starter kits,&rdquo; each episode blends science, technology, and imagination with the real choices shaping our world. It&rsquo;s smart, fast, and curious, built for anyone who&rsquo;s ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what comes next. This isn&rsquo;t science fiction. It&rsquo;s the future, knocking on your door.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-cirilli-943b162a/">Kevin Cirilli</a>&nbsp;is the founder of meet the future&trade; (mtf.tv). Cirilli has advised some of the nation&rsquo;s leading military nonprofit philanthropists and policymakers and he is an emerging playwright. As a journalist, he is the former Chief Washington Correspondent for Bloomberg Television and Radio, where he covered the White House, Congress, and global economic policy while anchoring a daily geopolitical business affairs program.
Before founding mtf.tv, Kevin appeared across nearly every major network &mdash; including CBS News, MSNBC, CNN, FOX News, C-SPAN, NPR, and Yahoo Finance &mdash; providing nonpartisan political and economic analysis and conducting exclusive interviews with some of the most influential figures of the 21st century. He was also a media fellow at the Atlantic Council in the Global China Hub.
He has reported from across the United States and around the world &mdash; including assignments in Israel, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia &mdash; covering pivotal moments in global affairs and the people driving change.

HELLO FUTURE with Kevin Cirilli

The Artemis program isn’t just NASA’s return to the Moon — it’s the foundation for humanity’s multi-planetary future.  In this episode of HELLO FUTURE, Kevin Cirilli sits down with Rich Cooper of the Space Foundation to break down Artemis II, the first crewed mission of the Artemis era. Slated to send four astronauts around the Moon aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft atop the powerful Space Launch System rocket, Artemis II represents the most significant step in human space exploration since Apollo 17 more than 50 years ago.

HELLO FUTURE: Why You Should Care About Artemis II — The Next Giant Leap in Human Spaceflight

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a4e9b47f-2d0b-446c-9175-b4290017967b/transcript