America fell behind China in the lunar space race
arstechnica.com
arstechnica.com
NASA's lunar ambitions include surface bases on the lunar South Pole, where there is water ice trapped in craters with permanent shadows. China has similar plans. If China gets ahead of the US, it could just claim all the good spots and leave NASA's program in a bind. Hence the urgency to stake a claim near lunar ice deposits.
The US got to the moon 56 years ago. How are we even having a conversation about this?
What the U.S. should be focusing on is why we want to return to the Moon. Is the goal to establish a permanent lunar colony? If so, what’s its purpose - scientific research, resource extraction, geopolitical presence? Are we building a waypoint for Mars missions? These are the questions that matter.
The US going back to the moon needs to be done with purpose - as we've already been there, done that.
Basically dog versus dog mindset, but very understandable. Big dogs gotta have everything other big dogs have, and more. At least it is good for science and technology. If we have to have BS in politics, this is one of the best.
China is focused on the moon, while the US has its eyes set on Mars.
The US have eyes on Mars because of "showmanship", not any long term plan.
The Moon would be similar to the space station, needing to be continuously supplied from Earth. The goal for colonization should be that it could become self-sustaining at some point.
The US also went to the Moon before Mars.