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The first mission in NASA\\u2019s Artemis space programme returned to Earth earlier this month, after a journey of over 1.3 million miles around the Moon and back. Over next few years NASA will launch Artemis missions two and three, with the help of the European and Japanese space agencies, as well as Elon Musk's Space X. The aim is eventually to build a permanent base for scientific - and possibly economic development - on the Moon. \\nMeanwhile, China is pursuing a lunar exploration programme of its own.\\nSo why is the Moon back in fashion? And is the world in the grip of a new space race?

Joining David Aaronovitch in the Briefing Room are: \\nRebecca Morelle, BBC Science Correspondent\\nJohn Zarnecki, Emeritus Professor of Space Sciences at the Open University \\nJack Burns, Professor of Astrophysics and Professor of Physics, University of Colorado Boulder\\nJoanne Wheeler, Space Lawyer\\nBleddyn Bowen, Associate Professor of International Relations, Space Policy/Warfare Expert, University of Leicester

Producers: Daniel Gordon, Kirsteen Knight and Ben Carter. \\nEditor: Simon Watts.\\nStudio Manager: Neil Churchill. \\nProduction co-ordinator Sophie Hill.

PHOTO CREDIT: The launch of NASA's Artemis 1 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida (Getty Images)