AfterMaths: From Apollo to Artemis - The Maths Behind Space Travel

In this episode of The Primary Maths Podcast, Jon and Becky explore the mathematics behind space travel, inspired by the recent Artemis mission and the return of astronauts from their journey around the Moon. Starting with the sheer scale of the challenge, they unpack the numbers, distances, and precision required to send humans into space and bring them safely home again.

The conversation compares the Apollo missions of the 1960s with today’s Artemis programme, highlighting how technology has advanced dramatically while the underlying mathematics has remained the same. From trajectory calculations and launch angles to predicting where the Moon will be, this episode brings big mathematical ideas into a form that teachers can share with their pupils.

The episode then focuses on the remarkable story of Katherine Johnson, whose calculations were critical to the success of early space missions, including Apollo 11. Her work reminds us that mathematics is far more than arithmetic. It is about reasoning, modelling, and solving real problems that matter.

Along the way, Jon and Becky reflect on what this means for the classroom, why the maths we teach in primary school matters more than we might think, and how stories like this can inspire children to see themselves as mathematicians.

If you enjoy the podcast, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review so you never miss an episode. You can also join the conversation on LinkedIn and connect with other educators.

We are also running a free online TeachMeet on problem solving, focusing on the power of pattern spotting. You can sign up here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maths-problem-solving-the-power-of-pattern-spotting-tickets-1981746761912?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Get in touch with the show: primarymathspodcast@twinkl.co.uk

Follow Jon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncripwell/In this episode of The Primary Maths Podcast, Jon and Becky explore the mathematics behind space travel, inspired by the recent Artemis mission and the return of astronauts from their journey around the Moon. Starting with the sheer scale of the challenge, they unpack the numbers, distances, and precision required to send humans into space and bring them safely home again.

The conversation compares the Apollo missions of the 1960s with today’s Artemis programme, highlighting how technology has advanced dramatically while the underlying mathematics has remained the same. From trajectory calculations and launch angles to predicting where the Moon will be, this episode brings big mathematical ideas into a form that teachers can share with their pupils.

The episode then focuses on the remarkable story of Katherine Johnson, whose calculations were critical to the success of early space missions, including Apollo 11. Her work reminds us that mathematics is far more than arithmetic. It is about reasoning, modelling, and solving real problems that matter.

Along the way, Jon and Becky reflect on what this means for the classroom, why the maths we teach in primary school matters more than we might think, and how stories like this can inspire children to see themselves as mathematicians.

If you enjoy the podcast, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review so you never miss an episode. You can also join the conversation on LinkedIn and connect with other educators.

We are also running a free online TeachMeet on problem solving, focusing on the power of pattern spotting. You can sign up here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maths-problem-solving-the-power-of-pattern-spotting-tickets-1981746761912?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Get in touch with the show: primarymathspodcast@twinkl.co.uk

Follow Jon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncripwell/