{"id":166907,"date":"2025-09-01T20:24:02","date_gmt":"2025-09-01T20:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/for-resources-that-are-at-risk\/"},"modified":"2025-09-01T20:24:03","modified_gmt":"2025-09-01T20:24:03","slug":"for-resources-that-are-at-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/for-resources-that-are-at-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"For resources that are at risk."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The New Space Race: U.S. vs. China<\/h2>\n

The phrase \u00a0“a small step for man”\u00a0 is etched in the annals of history as the pinnacle of space exploration. When Neil Armstrong marked the lunar soil with his footprint, the United States triumphed in the race against the Soviet Union. Fast forward 56 years, and Washington gazes toward the moon once more, but this time, the stakes are considerably higher. The \u00a0new space race\u00a0 is not merely about national pride; it revolves around the control of resources that may dictate the future of space exploration and the balance of power on Earth.<\/p>\n

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Sean Duffy’s Promise<\/h2>\n

In a striking declaration shortly after SpaceX\u2019s Starship completed its \u00a0tenth flight\u00a0, NASA’s acting administrator Sean Duffy<\/a> stated: \u00a0“In 2027, we will send American astronauts to the Moon. We won yesterday’s space race; we will win today’s space race against China, and we will always win tomorrow’s space race.”\u00a0 Duffy’s words highlight the urgency and determination of the U.S. to reclaim its competitive edge in lunar exploration.<\/p>\n

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Artemis Delays<\/h2>\n

The initial target set by NASA for a new \u00a0human moon landing\u00a0 was 2024. However, as noted by Alejandro Alcantilla de NSF<\/a>, several crucial components, including the SLS rocket, the Orion spacecraft, and astronaut suits, are still not completed. Currently, the Artemis III mission is scheduled for \u00a0August 2027\u00a0, but many analysts raise concerns that the necessary elements will not be ready in time, particularly the SpaceX Starship, which has faced multiple delays.<\/p>\n

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The “Lost” Year of Starship<\/h2>\n

SpaceX’s Starship is essentially the U.S.’s sole vehicle to land astronauts on the moon, at least until alternatives like Blue Origin become operational. Unfortunately, the Starship program is experiencing significant slowdowns. After a successful June 2024 flight, the company has taken over a year to recalibrate its plans.<\/p>\n

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The Methodical Lunar Conquest of China<\/h2>\n

In contrast to the often turbulent nature of Western space programs, China has maintained a \u00a0persistent and methodical\u00a0 approach to lunar exploration for decades. The Chang’e robotic missions have achieved remarkable milestones, including the retrieval of the first samples from the far side of the moon. But this is merely the beginning for China.<\/p>\n

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The Wild West of Lunar Resources<\/h2>\n

China has ambitious plans to establish a substantial presence on the moon, aiming to send its first astronauts by \u00a02030\u00a0. State-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) has successfully tested its \u00a0Lanyue lunar module\u00a0 and the CZ-10 heavy rocket. Experts believe that the Chinese may achieve lunar landings well before NASA can return, creating an unprecedented geopolitical challenge for the U.S.<\/p>\n

Senator John Cornyn put it plainly: \u00a0“Those who control the last frontier control the future.”\u00a0 The implication is clear; if the U.S. fails to capitalize on the moon’s untapped resources, China is primed to take the lead. Renowned professor \u00a0Kazuto Suzuki\u00a0 emphasizes that this is not merely about being the first to step foot on the moon; it\u2019s about securing \u00a0exclusive rights\u00a0 to lunar resources\u2014essentially, entering a \u00a0“wild west”\u00a0 scenario.<\/p>\n

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Valuable Lunar Resources<\/h2>\n

The \u00a01967 Outer Space Treaty\u00a0 prohibits the national appropriation of celestial bodies, but the reality is that the first nation to establish a functional presence on the moon could effectively claim rights to its resources. Key lunar resources include:<\/p>\n