The Geopolitical, Economic, and Scientific Stakes of the New Lunar Space Race

The global race to the moon is accelerating as nations and private companies compete for strategic positioning and valuable lunar resources. Unlike the 20th-century space race, which was driven primarily by geopolitical prestige, the modern lunar push focuses on establishing a sustainable human presence and utilizing natural resources, particularly water ice located at the lunar south pole. This ice is vital for life support and can be processed into rocket propellant, serving as a critical stepping stone for future deep-space exploration, including missions to Mars.

• The lunar south pole has become the primary target for modern missions due to the confirmed presence of water ice in permanently shadowed craters.
• Harvested lunar water can be converted into oxygen for breathing and liquid hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel, significantly reducing the cost of deep-space travel.
• NASA’s Artemis program aims to return humans to the lunar surface and establish a long-term orbital and ground-based infrastructure with international partners.
• China is leading a rival coalition to construct the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) with the goal of landing crewed missions by 2030.
• Private aerospace companies are heavily integrated into modern lunar programs, driving down launch costs and developing commercial landers and utility systems.

Based in Singapore, CNA (Channel News Asia) covers global developments with an Asian perspective, with correspondents based in major cities across Asia, including Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing, as well as in New York, Washington D.C. and London.

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Original video here.

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