Sperm can't swim properly in space, study says

Scientists reveal potential hurdles for extraterrestrial human reproduction. Here, sunlight illuminates the lower right of planet Earth in a picture taken by the NASA Artemis II crew on the first mission around the moon in decades. — Photo: Reid Wiseman/Nasa/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

As a quartet of astronauts make their way to the far side of the Moon, far-fetched notions of human colonies on the satellite or even Mars - a three-year return trip - are again getting an airing.

Such ambitions are being aired despite the Artemis II mission being the first in 50 years to take humans out of Earth’s orbit. But the team will not set foot on the Moon, much less surpass half-century-old space travel achievements.