Lunar Showdown: The USA vs. China in the New Space Race

For nearly half a century, the mere thought of humans returning to the moon seemed like a faraway dream, but as we enter the 2020s, a new space race is brewing. The space race was defined in the 1960s and 70s by the dramatic triumph of Apollo 11 when Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the Moon. This time, however, the competition involves the US and China, not the Soviet Union. With both nations planning lunar ventures in the coming years, the question is, who will get there first, and what does it portend for future space exploration?

To send the second set of humans to the moon, the US is using what it calls the Artemis plan. The plan is designed to be carried out in stages, aiming to get the first woman and person of color to walk the moon. The idea is, when the time comes, to send two astronauts into space using a vehicle rafted by Elon Musk’s Space X. So far, NASA launched Artemis I in November of 2022, an uncrewed test flight critical to the mission using NASA’s  Orion spacecraft, designed to orbit the Moon and return to Earth. 

The success of this first mission set the stage for a second mission, Artemis II, scheduled for 2025, which will carry four astronauts in Orion for a loop around the Moon. However, it will not be until Artemis III that astronauts will finally land on the Moon—scheduled for no earlier than September 2026; though delays have already pushed this date back, some experts predict it may not happen until 2028.

Artemis I launch from the Kennedy         Jeremy Hansen, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, Space Center                                          and Christina Koch: Artemis II Crew

The delays in the Artemis missions are due to various factors. The lunar lander, developed by SpaceX under a contract with NASA, still faces challenges, including the complex task of refueling in Earth orbit before it can travel to the Moon. Several other space vehicles still face challenges, such as the Orion falling with significant damage to its heat shield upon re-entering Earth’s atmosphere, and the fact that the starship, the spaceship that will be used to transport astronauts, still has hurdles to clear before its safe to use. This means it needs to be able to refuel in Earth’s orbit. Furthermore, NASA’s spacesuit, which is critical for lunar activities, is also behind schedule. This spacesuit, which is designed to withstand extreme conditions on the moon, is still an undergoing process. These setbacks have led people to question whether the US can beat its competitor, China.

Meanwhile, China’s space program is making impressive strides. Although its first astronaut was launched into space only in 2003, the nation has rapidly advanced its capabilities over the years since. In 2024, Chinese officials confirmed that China plans to send its taikonauts (Chinese astronauts) to the moon by 2030, a very likely scenario given China’s record of sticking to deadlines. China’s lunar program, particularly its Chang’e missions, has significantly progressed. These robotic missions have brought back lunar samples and tested technology that could be vital to landing humans. Now, China is focused on landing on the lunar south pole, a region believed to contain vast reserves of water ice. This ice could support future lunar bases or even be converted into rocket propellants for deeper space missions.

While the US struggles to prepare its spacesuits, China has already shared a new spacesuit for its taikonauts. The suit is highly protective of extreme temperatures and solar radiation. The similarities between these and NASA’s spacesuits have made people wonder if China is more technologically advanced. 

While it’s currently unclear which country will be the first to touch down on the moon, one thing that can be seen is a budding rivalry between the two nations. It is about national pride, technological innovation, scientific exploration, and geopolitical position. Stepping on the moon is an achievement and a stepping stone for the next phase of human space exploration. Whoever lands there first will set the tone for future missions to Mars, asteroid mining, and beyond. Furthermore, tensions are high, with both countries eyeing the lunar south pole, a place rich in resources (water ice) that could be extremely useful in times to come. 

What truly matters is how humanity handles this next step. The Moon race is about more than national prestige; it’s about cooperation, innovation, and responsible exploration. In this new space age, the Moon is not just another prize to be claimed but a resource to be shared for the benefit of all humankind.