The
Moon our faithful satellite has always been an object of fascination
for mankind. Ever since Neil Armstrong set foot on its surface in 1969,
no manned mission has returned. But in the 21st century, the Moon has
once again become a strategic objective, triggering a new race to
explore it. But this time the competition is more complex and exciting.
It is no longer limited to a rivalry between two superpowers, as it was
during the Cold War, but involves many players, including NASA, China,
Europe and even private companies like SpaceX.
The
big question driving this new space age is who will be the first to
land humans on the lunar surface again. NASA, a historic player in space
exploration, is determined to claim this title with its ambitious
Artemis program. The American agency plans to return astronauts to the
moon as early as 2025.
The aim of Artemis is
not only to send the first woman and the next man to the moon, but also
to establish a lasting human presence on lunar soil. This mission is
intended to pave the way for exploration of even more distant
destinations, such as Mars.
The Artemis program
is based on major technological advances such as the SLS space launch
system, one of the most powerful launchers ever built, and the Orion
capsule, specially designed to carry astronauts far beyond Earth orbit.
However,
this return to the Moon won't happen without the help of another key
player: Space X. This private company founded by Elon Musk is redefining
space exploration. SpaceX has been selected to develop the Starship HLS
Human Landing System, a vessel capable of safely landing astronauts.
The Starship is designed to be fully reusable, a revolution that could
make space exploration far more affordable.
With
Artemis and SpaceX, NASA seems to be well positioned to win this new
race to the Moon. But the competition is not limited to America. The
Chinese space agency CNSA has achieved several notable successes,
notably in 2019 with the Chang 4 mission, which became the first to land
a rover on the far side of the Moon.
China has
no intention of stopping there, and plans to send astronauts to the
moon by 2030. Future missions, such as Chang 6 and Chang 7, will focus
on exploring lunar resources, notably the water present in the form of
ice at the pole. In collaboration with Russia, China is even planning to
build a permanent base on the moon, a project that will enable it to
compete directly with American and European ambitions.
The
European Space Agency (ESA), while not planning to send its own
astronauts to the moon, plays a crucial role as a partner in the Artemis
program. Europe supplies vital technologies, including the service
modules for the Orion capsule. In addition, ESA is heavily involved in
the Gateway project, a future space station orbiting the Moon that will
serve as a starting point for manned lunar missions.
Although
Europe is not at the forefront of the race, it is making a significant
contribution to the success of international missions to the Moon. At
the same time, private companies are redefining the rules of the game.
SpaceX is not alone in this new race. Blue Origin, the company founded
by Jeff Bezos, is developing its own lunar module called Blue Moon,
designed to enable landings on the moon. Although SpaceX has won the
contract for Artemis, Blue Origin continues to work on innovative
solutions for lunar exploration.
Private
companies could well become disruptors in this race, offering faster,
more flexible alternatives to government agencies. The Moon is not just a
symbolic goal. This new conquest is motivated by strategic scientific
and economic stakes.
The Moon is seen as a
stepping stone to Mars and other more important planets. The lunar poles
harbor reserves of water in the form of ice, a precious resource not
only for sustaining human life but also for producing fuel for space
travel. The idea of using the Moon as a base to launch more distant
missions is becoming increasingly credible. So this new race to the Moon
is much more than just a technological challenge. It's a race for the
future of space exploration and the control of extraterrestrial
resources.
Who will be the first to set foot
on the Moon again? NASA, with its Artemis program and the support of
SpaceX... China, with its methodical plans and ambitions for a permanent
lunar base... or will a private company upset the predictions?
One thing is certain: this new lunar conquest is already underway, and its impact could redefine mankind's future in space. The
question is not just who will win the race, but how this exploration
will change our relationship with the universe and the opportunities it
offers.
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I post this for info purposes - not as an endorsement of any of the claims and beliefs stated by the authors.
The US (since the 1950's) has developed military plans to occupy the moon as a base that would help to create a military gate and thus control of the pathway on and off Earth (what is called the 'Earth-Moon Gravity Well').
The US now can't afford to pay for this costly dream by itself. The new Artemis Accords brings in allies to help pay for this US led program.
Guess who would control the tip of the spear that would be aimed at China and Russia to keep them away from the Moon for as long as possible?
This idea is laden with conflict.
Bruce
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| Source: 'Military Space Forces: The Next 50 Years'. A 1989 Congressional Study |
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