Global Superpowers Are Racing to Build a Base on the Moon – Futurism

In Brief The Chinese National Space Administration has publicly announced a partnership with the European Space Agency on developing a lunar base. This collaboration could lead to shared projects in the future. Todays Race To Space

It seems that the modern agesspace race is here, and all sights are set on the Moon. But this time, the goal isnt just to get an astronaut onto Earths natural satellite, but instead space agencies around the world are coming together to build a human outpost. Some of the biggest players hail from China and Europe, andtheir respective space agencies have announced that they are engagingin international collaboration to realize aMoon Village vision.

Even though Chinas space program is relativelynew compared to other space programs developed by the worlds superpowers, the Chinas space agency has quickly proven itself since its first manned spaceflight in 2003. Currently, the countrys National Space Administration (CNSA) is aiming to collect samples from the Moon by the end of this year while also conducting a mission to the far side of the Moon to bring back additional samples sometime next year.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has been paying close attention to Chinas progress, with the ESA looking toward to future collaborationby calling for joint proposals since 2014. All this cooperation would explain the remarks about a shared lunar base on Chinese state media by Chinas space agencys secretary general, Tian Yulong, which was later confirmed by Pal Hvistendahl, an ESA spokesperson.

When it comes to international collaboration, we are all left with a net-positive outcome. Someclassic examplesof this include the International Space Station,with eleven member states, and CERNs Large Hardon Collider, which is utilized by 22 member states. Both enormous projects built on theinternational brotherhood that has propelled us forward in space commercialization, humanitarian aid, vaccine development, and more.

But aside from technological advances, we see the power of scientific collaboration to deconstruct societal barriers. Borders become bridges and science sparks conversations. Maybe the United States will take hints from the ESAs commitment to China.

Currently, its illegal for NASA scientists to collaborate with any Chinese state employees on issues related to space. This is also the reason that Chinese astronauts cannot visit the ISS. But, perhapsthe prospects of a lunar base could change that, as a lunar base would give us a great jumping off point for deep space exploration, mineral excavation, andlow-orbit space commercialization.

Read more:
Global Superpowers Are Racing to Build a Base on the Moon - Futurism