Mars may be a hellhole, but the moon is not far behind
NASA and international competitors are accelerating plans to establish permanent lunar bases, driven by nationalistic competition and scientific ambition. The project faces significant logistical and financial hurdles as nations race to define the future of lunar exploration.
Why it matters
The renewed space race represents a shift toward long-term extraterrestrial habitation and resource competition between major global powers.
We’re still imagining building cities on the moon. There are just a few obstacles in the way.
Welcome to the second space race. You can be forgiven for experiencing déjà vu. Last time, it was the Soviet Union and the United States vying to be the first to plant some flags. Now it’s a sprint to the lunar surface between America and China—alongside a host of varyingly friendly and rival nations—plus a cornucopia of private spaceflight companies. And this time it looks like they’re getting ready to set up camp. There will be, the contenders say, bases on the moon, permanently inhabited castles under the stars.
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