NASA is moving forward quickly with the Artemis program, aiming to orbit the Moon and return its astronauts with a vision that emphasizes rapid progress. However, China continues to strengthen its engineering capabilities while promising its first crewed lunar landing before 2030. The course of this competition seems to determine in the long run which country will shape space resources and international partnerships.
According to new plans, the Artemis 2 mission will be launched early next year and then continue with the crewed lunar landing of Artemis 3. Meanwhile, China is continuing preparations with critical equipment such as the Long March 10 rocket and the Lanyue landing craft.
Despite this picture, which is increasingly seen as making the US job more difficult, experts believe there is still an advantage to be gained over China in the lunar race. These include uncertainties in the development pace of SpaceX’s Starship and the multiple refueling missions required for it. Humanity, which now has a history of being able to travel to the Moon and back with just one fuel tank, may no longer be able to make the journey without several refueling stops between Earth and the Moon.
From the perspective of space policies, this race also brings with it the notion that China’s first landing on the Moon does not have to be regarded as a failure. Assessments continue that the economic and prestige gains from this success could shift global balances. Allen Cutler, President and CEO of the Deep Space Research Coalition, who is making key decisions in the space field, emphasizes that future rules for space engagement will be determined by leadership on the Moon. Cutler states that the country that first sets foot on the Moon will shape space engagement and governance rules in the coming years and adds: “This leadership should come from America.”
