Lovell Lecture Series 2026
19.30 – 21.00
Refreshments included in ticket price

Humanity is preparing to journey beyond low Earth orbit once again. With NASA’s Artemis II mission expected to launch in the first half of this year, astronauts will soon fly around the Moon for the first time since the Apollo era – marking a major milestone in the renewed age of human space exploration.

In this special edition of the Lovell Lecture Series, we explore why the Moon still matters.

Often thought of as familiar and well known, the Moon remains a place of profound scientific mystery and human fascination. From revealing the history of the early Solar System, to shaping Earth’s environment and future space exploration ambitions, our nearest neighbour continues to play a central role in our understanding of where we come from and where we might go next.

Join us for an evening of expert insight and discussion as we examine the science, motivations, and challenges of returning humans to the Moon, and why returning there is about far more than simply going back.

The panel will be hosted by Professor Tim O’Brien (Director, Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement) and features:

• Professor Katherine Joy (University of Manchester), a planetary scientist specialising in lunar science, who will explore what the Moon can tell us scientifically and why it remains such a compelling destination.
• Dr Simeon Barber (The Open University),  whose work spans planetary science and recent and upcoming lunar missions, offering insight into the practical realities and ambitions of contemporary exploration.