Moon exploration is currently a top priority for space agencies. NASA, China and India are interested in it. Now representatives of the Middle Kingdom have spoken out about their plans.
The Moon is of interest to the most important space agencies, including NASA and CNSA, and in the future perhaps also India’s ISRO. All these groups have already presented their views plans for lunar exploration and exploitation of its resources. The projects include not only the return of humans to the surface of the Silver Globe, but also the construction of special research bases there for long-term missions.
China has been consistently strengthening its position in the global space race for years, setting ambitious goals for the coming decades. After the successes of the Chang’e 5 and Chang’e 6 missions, that brought samples from the Moon to Earth, including those from its far side, the Chinese National Space Agency is preparing for even more advanced projects. One of the main goals of the Middle Kingdom in the coming years is further exploration of the Moon, including the establishment of an international research base on its surface.
China is back on the Moon
In 2026 and 2028 are planned China’s next lunar missions – Chang’e 7 and Chang’e 8. Both missions will focus on the Moon’s south pole, a region of great interest due to its potential water ice resources found in permanently shadowed craters. The Chang’e 7 mission aims to search for these resources that could be used for future manned missions and to support long-term colonies. In turn, Chang’e 8 is to test technologies enabling the use of local resources and will perform experiments related to ecology and biology, including tests of conducting agricultural activities in lunar conditions.
These missions will be a key part of preparation for construction of the International Research Station on the Moonwhose construction is planned for the 2030s. China is intensively looking for international partners for this project and has so far attracted over 10 countries interested in participating in this initiative. This is proof that China, despite being presented as a lonely entity and not ready for cooperation, is striving to create a global coalition to explore the Moon.
Mars plans and further expansion
However, the moon is not China’s only target. CNSA is also preparing for the mission it has deliver samples from Mars to Earth. The Tianwen 3 mission, scheduled for 2028, will be one of the most complex operations in the history of China’s space program. The Chinese intend to send two sets of spacecraft that will collect samples from the surface of the Red Planet and will transport them to Earth around 2031. If the mission is successful, China could overtake NASA, which is also working on a similar mission but has been plagued by delays and financial problems.
However, Chinese plans go even further than Mars. Tianwen 4, the next CNSA mission, aims to explore Jupiter as well as its moons. The mission, planned for around 2030, will also include research on other planets, and some reports suggest that it may even fly near Uranus.
Competition in space is becoming more and more intense
At the same time, other countries such as the United States and India are also stepping up their space exploration efforts. NASA continues work on the Artemis programwhich aims to return man to the Moon. The Artemis 3 mission, originally scheduled for 2026, is expected to land astronauts on the Moon’s south pole, which could make the United States the first country to achieve this goal in the 21st century. But delays and technical problems could put China, which plans its first manned lunar mission before 2030, ahead of NASA.
In turn, India, which recorded success of the Chandrayaan-3 missionhave ambitious plans for the coming years. ISRO, the Indian Space Research Organization, is working on the Chandrayaan-4 mission, which aims to collect samples from the south pole of the Moon. The Indian government has also approved plans to create the first space station and send a mission to Venus, showing that the country does not intend to give up space in the global space race.
Graphics: CNSA
Source: antyweb.pl
