US and China Race to Claim the Moon as a New Lunar Land Grab Heats Up
The United States and China are racing to establish permanent bases on the moon, sparking fears of a "lunar land grab" as both nations compete for access to water ice and rare minerals [197142].
Sixty years after the US beat the Soviet Union to the moon, a new contest is underway. This time, China has taken the Soviet Union’s place. Unlike the Cold War-era race focused on national pride, the current competition is about resources. The moon holds water ice and rare minerals, and both nations want to secure access to these materials [197142].
The US is pushing forward with its Artemis program, while China is building its International Lunar Research Station. Experts warn that the nation which controls key lunar sites could control future space travel. A critical factor in this race may be the ability to mass-produce propellant tank domes—ellipsoidal bulkheads that are several meters wide but only millimeters thick—which are essential for spacecraft and very hard to manufacture [197101].
No international law clearly defines who can own lunar land. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty says no country can claim the moon, but it does not stop private or national projects from setting up bases. This legal gap creates a risk of conflict. The stakes are high, and the clock is ticking [197142].