Back To The Moon
Multiple countries and private companies are spending billions on space missions returning to the Moon, this time with higher ambitions and bigger stakes
On July 21, 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the Moon, a crowning achievement in space exploration and marking the end of the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union (now Russia). After the historic Apollo 11 mission, a total of 12 men have walked on the Moon, with Eugene Cernan being the last astronaut to step off the lunar surface.
In recent years, there has been a new space race between countries and private companies to send unmanned spacecraft, and later humans, back to the Moon. This time, astronauts are prepared to stay on the Moon and use it as a stepping stone to living on Mars.
Why are we going back to the Moon?
During the Space Race in the 20th Century, the main reason behind going to the Moon was to see which country had superior technology to the other. Both the United States and the Soviet Union wanted to prove they were capable of space exploration, which then reflected on their countries’ respective political and economic strengths. After the Space Race ended, manned space exploration mainly focused on low-Earth orbit and international collaboration, including the construction and continued operation of the International Space Station (ISS).
Five decades later, many have set their sights back on the Moon, and this time with more ambitious goals. Scientists hope further samples collected from the Moon could provide a better understanding of how the solar system was formed, and give insights into how the Earth and Moon have developed in the past. Entrepreneurs are interested in resources like minerals, which are rare on Earth but are more common on the Moon. Space agencies are hoping to create permanent habitats on the lunar surface for astronauts to live and conduct research. Experts also want to use the experience learned from manned lunar missions as a stepping stone to explore Mars. On top of that, countries want to inspire the general public and future generations to be engaged in space exploration.
Why are people interested in the Moon’s south pole?
For scientists and explorers alike, many are considering the lunar south pole as a key spot for investigation. The main reason why scientists and space agencies are interested in the area comes down to the presence of water and the abundance of rare resources.
Even though there is no running liquid water on the Moon’s surface, there are permanently shadowed areas on the Moon, like craters on the lunar south pole, that are rich in frozen water. Thanks to the lack of exposure to any sunlight, frozen water can be extracted and converted by astronauts into drinking water, breathable oxygen, and rocket fuel for future missions.
The lunar south pole is also plentiful in resources that are considered rare on Earth, and essential to modern technology. For example, rare earth metals found on the Moon like cadmium and yttrium are crucial in creating smartphones and computers that people use in daily life. Then there is Helium-3, a safe and non-radioactive form of Helium that could provide nuclear energy in nuclear fusion reactors. Although Helium-3 is rare on Earth, scientists at NASA suggest there could be up to 1 million tonnes of it on the Moon’s surface.
Which countries are engaged in lunar exploration?
One of the most prominent countries involved in the new space race is the United States and its space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). NASA’s flagship lunar exploration program is Artemis, named after the twin sister of Apollo in Greek mythology. After the success of the uncrewed Artemis I mission in 2022, NASA plans to send four astronauts to fly around the Moon in the Artemis II mission by 2025 at the earliest. Following that, the space agency prepares to send the first woman and person of color to explore the lunar south pole and begin establishing a permanent human presence in the region. At the same time, the first lunar space station Gateway will be constructed and serve as a lunar outpost for international astronauts to support astronauts on the Moon and serve scientific investigations of their own. The US has already shown a willingness to engage in international collaboration through the Artemis Accords, a series of non-binding agreements signed by 43 countries to clarify the norms expected to be followed in outer space.
China is another key country with high lunar ambitions, especially through its Chang’e program. In recent years, the Chang’e mission has seen great strides in orbiting, landing, and retrieving samples from the Moon back to Earth. Earlier this year, the Chang’e 6 mission became the first spacecraft to land on and collect samples from the lunar south pole, then it relaunched itself from the surface and returned to Earth carrying precious samples from the region. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) plans to send two separate missions to the Moon’s south pole in 2026 and 2028, laying the foundations for creating a lunar base and sending the first taikonauts (Chinese astronauts) to walk on the Moon.
Besides these two countries, many private companies and countries are also involved in the new race to the Moon. India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully landed near the Moon’s south pole back in August 2023, and Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) landed on the lunar surface earlier this year. Commercial companies like Elon Musk’s SpaceX have announced plans to land its flagship Starship rocket on the Moon by 2026, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’s space company Blue Origin unveiled the Blue Moon lander for further Artemis missions in the late 2020s. Not to mention, a lander from the company Intuitive Machines became the first private spacecraft to land on the Moon’s surface in February this year.
Why should you be interested?
There are numerous reasons to be excited about the new space race. Firstly, space is a subject of much interest. Recent space missions like the James Webb Space Telescope have already captivated the minds of millions to be more interested in the universe, and the new space race will undoubtedly engage people of all ages more to look up at the stars and learn more about the cosmos.
Secondly, the new space race can provide new opportunities for everyone. Companies and entrepreneurs have seen the Moon’s resources to their advantage, including NASA which announced plans to mine the lunar surface by the next decade. Not only that, scientists will be spending more time learning about our planet’s closest companion and the solar system through samples and knowledge we learned from the Moon, encouraging more discovery and curiosity.
Last but not least, space will become a ground for international collaboration. Recent efforts by both American and Chinese space agencies have shown a willingness to work with other countries to further exploration for the benefit of humankind. Future manned missions to the Moon will serve as a ground for international pride and cooperation, fostering a new age in space exploration and humanity’s endeavors into the universe.