The Daily – A New Race to the Moon

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily,” we explore the new race to the moon and the significance of water on the lunar surface. The discovery of water has opened up new possibilities for space exploration and colonization, attracting not only NASA and the United States but also private companies and countries like China and India. We delve into the recent successes and failures in lunar missions and discuss the implications of this new space race.

Main Takeaways

The Importance of Water on the Moon

• NASA’s Apollo moon landing in 1972 brought back rocks and dirt from the moon, providing a treasure trove for scientists to understand the history of the solar system.
• Radar images taken in the mid-1990s showed bright reflections in certain parts of the moon’s polar regions, indicating the possibility of ice.
• The Lunar Prospector found large amounts of hydrogen in the same places where the shiny spots were seen, indicating the presence of water.
• Water on the moon makes it a more appealing place for astronauts to explore and potentially live on, as it is a crucial resource and could be used for fuel and air.
• The promise of water on the moon is a tantalizing prospect for countries like China and India, who see it as a huge moment of national pride and a way to project their strength on the world stage.

The New Space Race

• A new space race to the moon involves not just the United States and NASA, but also private companies and countries that were not previously considered powers in space, such as China.
• China has been successful in their lunar exploration program due to the advantages of not being a democracy, allowing them to set out and fund a five-year space program without changes due to elections.
• Other players in the race include ISpace, an Israeli nonprofit that attempted to land on the moon but lost communication during the landing.
• Russia’s first lunar mission in nearly 50 years ended in failure after its spacecraft crashed into the moon.
• India’s second attempt to land on the moon was successful in landing near the South Pole.
• Landing on the moon sustainably with a cheaper price tag has been a tricky balance for emerging space nations.

Summary

The Significance of Water on the Moon

The discovery of water on the moon has revolutionized the way we view Earth’s satellite. NASA’s Apollo mission in 1972 brought back samples that provided valuable insights into the solar system’s history. However, subsequent scientific focus shifted towards Mars and Venus, and the moon was overlooked. It wasn’t until the mid-1990s, when radar images revealed bright reflections in the moon’s polar regions, that scientists began to suspect the presence of water. The Lunar Prospector orbiter confirmed this suspicion by detecting large amounts of hydrogen in the same areas. The presence of water on the moon makes it an attractive destination for future exploration and colonization, as it can serve as a vital resource for fuel and air.

The New Space Race and Lunar Missions

The discovery of water on the moon has sparked a new space race, with countries and private companies vying to establish a presence on Earth’s satellite. China, in particular, has made significant strides in its lunar exploration program. Being a non-democratic country, China has the advantage of setting and funding long-term space programs without interruptions due to elections. Other players in the race include ISpace, an Israeli nonprofit, and Russia, which recently attempted its first lunar mission in nearly 50 years but faced failure. India, on the other hand, achieved success with its second attempt to land on the moon. However, landing sustainably and at a lower cost remains a challenge for emerging space nations.

Conclusion

The discovery of water on the moon has reignited interest in lunar exploration and colonization. Countries like China and India see it as an opportunity to showcase their technological prowess and national pride. The moon, with its challenges and limitless possibilities, continues to captivate our imagination, just as President John F. Kennedy stated, “We choose to go to the moon, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” As the new space race unfolds, we can expect further advancements and discoveries that will shape the future of space exploration.