Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Between 1969 and 1972, twelve American astronauts walked on the Moon. Now, both the US and China are working to return humans to the lunar surface within this decade, potentially setting up a new race to the Moon.
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NASA’s Artemis program has faced delays, partly due to setbacks with spacesuit development and lunar-landing vehicle readiness. China, meanwhile, aims to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030 and has a history of meeting its space mission timelines.
Credit : NASA
NASA’s Artemis mission plan involves three phases. Artemis I launched the uncrewed Orion spacecraft around the Moon in 2022. Artemis II, planned for late 2025, will carry astronauts on a lunar orbit mission without landing. Artemis III aims to land two astronauts, including the first woman and person of colour, on the Moon’s surface.
Credit : NASA
China’s space program, which began with its first astronaut in 2003, has achieved significant milestones, including successful lunar robotic missions. Chinese officials have confirmed they are on track to send astronauts to the Moon by 2030, with a mission targeting the lunar south pole.
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Both the US and China are interested in the Moon’s south pole, where water ice in permanently shadowed craters could support human life and provide resources like rocket fuel. Artemis III’s landing site is set for this region, as are China’s future lunar exploration plans.
NASA’s Artemis III mission, which will rely on SpaceX’s Starship for landing, has seen delays. Starship must complete a successful test landing on the Moon and demonstrate in-orbit refueling with multiple flights before carrying astronauts to the lunar surface.
Credit : NASA
Some critics argue Artemis is overly complex due to its reliance on multiple commercial partners and intricate refuelling processes. Former NASA Administrator Michael Griffin advocates a simpler lunar mission approach, similar to China’s streamlined plan.
Credit : NASA
Whether the first 21st-century Moonwalker is American or Chinese carries symbolic significance in international relations. Democratic governments rely on public support for space funding, and successful lunar exploration could provide a valuable prestige boost.
Credit : NASA