Science Friction

Episodes

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  04 | Dead and Alive: Hype train 29.07.2026 25m

  When it comes to the often incomprehensible world of quantum, it can be hard to distinguish hype from reality.  We might be on the verge of a breakthrough ... or tech start-ups might be trying to drum up momentum for the benefit of their stakeholders. Hype is important in science, but can it go too far? And has AI knocked the wind out of the sails of quantum computing? Got feedback? Email us sciencefriction@abc.net.au Guests: Dr Tara Roberson Science communicator Stela Todorovic Media Director for PsiQuantum Australia Gideon Lichfield Journalist, former editor-in-chief of WIRED and MIT Technology Review Professor Warwick Bowen Director of the Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology and leader of the Quantum Optics Laboratory, University of Queensland Presenter: Jacinta Bowler Script producers: Fiona Pepper, James Bullen Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove Sound Engineer: Tim Jenkins Archives Research: Lisa Chidlow, Michael Osmond
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  03 | Dead and Alive: Plucky country 22.07.2026 25m

  You might not know it, but Australia is an unexpected frontrunner in the race to build a quantum computer.  Despite our isolation, leading quantum experts have called Australia home for decades, chipping away at this massive challenge.  What have we learnt, from our first digital computer CSIRAC, to now? And will it all culminate in the world's first million-qubit computer? Got feedback? Email us sciencefriction@abc.net.au Guests: Dr Peter Thorne Former weekend service operator for CSIRAC Professor Michelle Simmons CEO of Silicon Quantum Computing and director of the Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, UNSW   Professor Robert Clark Founding director of the Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computer Technology, UNSW Professor Geoff Pryde Chief Technical Director, PsiQuantum Australia Presenter: Jacinta Bowler Script producers: Fiona Pepper, James Bullen Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove Sound Engineer: Tim Jenkins Archives Research: Lisa Chidlow, Michael Osmond
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  02 | Dead and Alive: Quantum attack 15.07.2026 25m

  It's 1994, and a mathematical algorithm puts a spotlight on quantum computing for the first time. Defence departments, spy agencies and cybersecurity experts are on edge over the explosive Shor's algorithm. They spend decades and billions of dollars searching for a solution before something called "Q-day" arrives. Got feedback? Email us sciencefriction@abc.net.au Guests: Dr Henry Everitt Senior technologist for optical sciences, US Army Emeritus Professor Charles Clark Physicist, formerly National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Dr Sushmita Ruj Associate professor, University of New South Wales' Institute for Cybersecurity Special thanks to Nick Adams for reading Peter Shor's limerick.  Presenter: Jacinta Bowler Producer: Fiona Pepper Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove Sound Engineer: Tim Jenkins Archives Research: Lisa Chidlow, Michael Osmond Additional audio courtesy of CSIRO Publishing
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  01 | Dead and Alive: Battle for quantum supremacy 08.07.2026 25m

  Google announces it has achieved something game changing — quantum supremacy. But not everybody agrees. The company claims its quantum computer called Sycamore has solved a problem that no classical computer could manage in hundreds of thousands of years.  IBM wants this stricken from history. A war of words breaks out as two tech giants race to build a useful quantum computer that could change how the world works. Got feedback? Email us sciencefriction@abc.net.au Guests: Scott Young Cropping and livestock farmer in Ballan, Victoria Gideon Lichfield Journalist, former editor-in-chief of WIRED and MIT Technology Review Professor John Martinis 2025 Nobel laureate in Physics Credits: Presenter: Jacinta Bowler Producer: Fiona Pepper Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove Sound Engineer: Tim Jenkins Archives Research: Lisa Chidlow, Michael Osmond This story was made on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Gadigal and Menang Noongar peoples. More information Quantum supremacy using a programmable superconducting processor On “quantum supremacy” - IBM
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  INTRODUCING — Dead and Alive 01.07.2026 5m

  Quantum computers could be the next giant leap in technology — transforming how we heal people, how we grow food, how we get around our cities. So how close are we to the quantum future we've been promised? For Science Friction on ABC Radio National, Jacinta Bowler unpacks how the weird world of quantum physics could change everything. Hear about the surprising twists, the quantum cat-fights and the plucky heroes that have defined humanity's effort to build nature's most unpredictable machine.  Dead and Alive is a four-part series from Science Friction on ABC Radio National. Episode 1 is out Wednesday July 8th.
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  12 | Artemis Explained: What a ride 15.04.2026 17m

  The Integrity astronauts are back on Earth recovering from their journey, while NASA prepares for Artemis III.  Belinda and Jacinta answer some of your questions in the wake of a successful moon orbit mission.  To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II mission to the moon, search ‘Science Friction: Artemis Explained podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch with us: sciencefriction@abc.net.au. Credits: Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.
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  11 | Artemis Explained: Mission accomplished 11.04.2026 17m

  There wasn't a dry eye in mission control as the Artemis II astronauts safely returned in what NASA called a "perfect" splashdown. Belinda and Jacinta relive the historic re-entry, and dig into the wild physics associated with blasting through Earth's atmosphere and plopping into the ocean. To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II mission to the moon, search ‘Science Friction: Artemis Explained podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch with us: sciencefriction@abc.net.au. Credits: Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.
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  10 | Artemis Explained: Countdown to splashdown 10.04.2026 17m

  Nine days down … only one to go. The Artemis II mission is currently hurtling through space back to Earth, and is expected to land in the Pacific Ocean off the Californian coast tomorrow morning, Australia time. Belinda and Jacinta find out what the four astronauts on board have been doing as they make their approach, including being sent on an impromptu scavenger hunt, and what they can expect to feel as they re-enter Earth's atmosphere. To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II mission to the moon, search ‘Science Friction: Artemis Explained podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch with us: sciencefriction@abc.net.au. Credits: Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.
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  09 | Artemis Explained: Next stop, Earth 09.04.2026 15m

  With under two days to go, the Artemis II astronauts are making the most of their remaining time in space.  Belinda and Jacinta take a look at what they've been up to in the lead up to re-entry, and what they can expect to feel as they return to Earth. And if you've ever wondered what urine looks like as it's sprayed into space, well, we have you covered. To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II mission to the moon, search ‘Science Friction: Artemis Explained podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch with us: sciencefriction@abc.net.au. Credits: Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.
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  08 | Artemis Explained: Homeward bound 08.04.2026 17m

  After the high of the lunar flyby, the four Artemis II astronauts are now on the return leg of their mission while scientists pore over the thousands of images sent back to Earth so far.  Belinda and Jacinta delve into some surprising observations from the flyby, and answer more listener questions about everything from space navigation to the need for belts in weightlessness. To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II mission to the moon, search ‘Science Friction: Artemis Explained podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch with us: sciencefriction@abc.net.au. Credits: Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.
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  07 | Artemis Explained: Moon flyby success 07.04.2026 17m

  It’s been a big day for the Artemis II astronauts. They broke a 56-year record for the furthest distance humans have travelled from Earth, successfully looped around the Moon, and capped off the flyby with a solar eclipse.  Belinda and Jacinta break down what the crew saw as they gazed upon the Moon’s far side and why they lost contact with mission control for 40 minutes.  To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II mission to the moon, search ‘Science Friction: Artemis Explained podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch with us: sciencefriction@abc.net.au. Credits: Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.
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  06 | Artemis Explained: Moon joy 06.04.2026 15m

  We’re at the pointy end of the Artemis II mission now: It’s the eve of the lunar flyby.  With the four astronauts now looped into the Moon’s gravitational clutches, they’ll have an intense few hours observing the lunar surface, taking photos, and breaking Apollo 13’s record for humans furthest from Earth.  Artemis Explained is a daily podcast from ABC Radio National.  From lift-off to splashdown, we'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon. If you have a question about the Artemis mission you'd like Belinda and Jacinta to answer in a future episode, email sciencefriction@abc.net.au To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II mission to the moon, search ‘Science Friction: Artemis Explained podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch with us: sciencefriction@abc.net.au. Credits: Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.
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  05 | Artemis Explained: Science in space 05.04.2026 11m

  Alongside taking snaps of Earth, chatting with mission control and fixing the toilet, the Artemis II astronauts are also taking part in all kinds of scientific research.  So what experiments are running on the Orion capsule, and what do Australian lasers have to do with anything?  Artemis Explained is a daily podcast from ABC Radio National.  From lift-off to splashdown, we'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon. If you have a question about the Artemis mission you'd like Belinda and Jacinta to answer in a future episode, email sciencefriction@abc.net.au To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II mission to the moon, search ‘Science Friction: Artemis Explained podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch with us: sciencefriction@abc.net.au Credits: Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.
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  04 | Artemis Explained: Halfway to the Moon 04.04.2026 16m

  The Artemis II astronauts have passed the halfway point between Earth and the Moon, and still have around another day's travel time before they approach their lunar flyby.  So what do they get up to while they’re hurtling through space? And how do astronauts go about their daily routine in a cramped Orion capsule? Artemis Explained is a daily podcast from ABC Radio National.  From lift-off to splashdown, we'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon. If you have a question about the Artemis mission you'd like Belinda and Jacinta to answer in a future episode, email sciencefriction@abc.net.au   To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II mission to the moon, search ‘Science Friction: Artemis Explained podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch with us: sciencefriction@abc.net.au. Credits: Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.
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  03 | Artemis Explained: No turning back 03.04.2026 13m

  Just over a day after blasting off, four astronauts encased in an Orion capsule have veered away from Earth and are now on course to fly around the Moon. Bel and Jacinta unpack what the "trans-lunar injection" manoeuvre involved, and take a look at some of the highly relatable challenges faced by the astronauts during their first day in space. Because when you're flying towards the Moon, email problems should be the last thing on your mind. Artemis Explained is a daily podcast from ABC Radio National.  From lift-off to splashdown, we'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon. If you have a question about the Artemis mission you'd like Belinda and Jacinta to answer in a future episode, email sciencefriction@abc.net.au To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II mission to the moon, search ‘Science Friction: Artemis Explained podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch with us: sciencefriction@abc.net.au. Credits: Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.
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  02 | Artemis Explained: Lift off 02.04.2026 14m

  And we have lift off! Four astronauts successfully blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center and have started their journey to the Moon. But it wouldn't be a Moon launch without a couple of hiccups. We walk through what went down (and up!). Artemis Explained is a daily podcast from ABC Radio National. From lift-off to splashdown, we'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon. If you have a question about the Artemis mission you'd like Belinda and Jacinta to answer in a future episode, email sciencefriction@abc.net.au The new moonshot  In pictures: Artemis II NASA’s first mission to the Moon in decades   To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II mission to the moon, search ‘Science Friction: Artemis Explained podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch with us: sciencefriction@abc.net.au. Credits: Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples.
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  01 | Artemis Explained: Before the launch 01.04.2026 15m

  For the first time in 50 years, humanity is on the cusp of returning to the Moon, with the Artemis II lunar flyby mission set to launch in the coming days. But if we've already been to the Moon, why bother going back now? And who will be on board when the spacecraft blasts off? Welcome to the first episode of Artemis Explained. From lift-off to splashdown, we'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon. If you have a question about the Artemis mission you'd like Belinda and Jacinta to answer in a future episode, email sciencefriction@abc.net.au   To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II mission to the moon, search ‘Science Friction: Artemis Explained podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts. Credits: Presenters: Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler Senior Producer: Shelby Traynor Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove This episode was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples. 
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  BONUS | The Challenger Legacy: Q&A 25.02.2026 42m

  What's the point of space exploration? Would you fly on a space shuttle? How did they fix the joints after the Challenger disaster?  For this special bonus episode of The Challenger Legacy, hosts Dr Karl Kruszelnicki and Fiona Pepper answer your questions. To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Fiona Pepper and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki about the legacy the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster left on culture, space exploration and high-risk decision making, search ‘Science Friction: The Challenger Legacy podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch with us: sciencefriction@abc.net.au. Guests: Peter King Correspondent for CBS News Radio Wendy Whitman Cobb Space policy expert at the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies Tony Antonelli Retired NASA astronaut Credits: Presenters: Fiona Pepper and Karl Kruszelnicki Reporter: Fiona Pepper Senior Producer: James Bullen Series Producer: Jonathan Webb Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove Sound Engineer: Emrys Cronin This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar peoples.
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  05 | The Challenger Legacy: Apollo on Steroids 18.02.2026 30m

  NASA is gearing up for the Artemis II mission — where it will send astronauts around the moon for the first time in 50 years. While space exploration is never without risk, a retired astronaut is warning that NASA is "playing Russian roulette" with the lives of the crew.  So have lessons been learnt from the Challenger and Columbia disasters? To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Fiona Pepper and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki about the legacy the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster left on culture, space exploration and high-risk decision making, search ‘Science Friction: The Challenger Legacy podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch with us: sciencefriction@abc.net.au. Guests: Peter King Correspondent for CBS News Radio Wendy Whitman Cobb Space policy expert at the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies Charlie Camarda Retired NASA research engineer and astronaut Howard Berkes Former investigative reporter, NPR Leslie Ebeling Daughter, Bob Ebeling Brian Russell Former engineer, Morton Thiokol Credits: Presenters: Fiona Pepper and Karl Kruszelnicki Reporter: Fiona Pepper Senior Producer: James Bullen Series Producer: Jonathan Webb Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove Sound Engineer: Simon Branthwaite Archives Research: Lisa Chidlow, Michael Osmond This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar peoples.
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  04 | The Challenger Legacy: The Devil You Know 11.02.2026 26m

  In the wake of twin disasters two decades apart, how do we make sense of why they happened? In episode four, we find out what happened on the very first flight after Columbia — and ask whether NASA changed at all. To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Fiona Pepper and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki about the legacy the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster left on culture, space exploration and high-risk decision making, search ‘Science Friction: The Challenger Legacy podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts. Guests: Mike Ciannilli Former Columbia integration systems engineer, NASA Miles O'Brien Aerospace correspondent, CNN Adam Higginbotham Author, Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space Mark Maier Distinguished professor of leadership, Chapman University, California Eileen Collins Former astronaut; commander, STS-114 Credits: Presenters: Fiona Pepper and Karl Kruszelnicki Reporter: Fiona Pepper Senior Producer: James Bullen Series Producer: Jonathan Webb Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove Sound Engineer: Tim Jenkins Archives Research: Lisa Chidlow, Michael Osmond This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar peoples.