what if China overtook the United States?

2024-02-28 20:31:06

The first of four launch pads of China’s first space base dedicated to commercial launches was inaugurated at the end of December, on the island of Hainan. CNSA/Chinese Space Agency

DECRYPTION – Beijing plans to send taikonauts to our satellite in 2029.

In the race for the Moon, China is trying to overtake the United States. Artemis, the Americans’ return to the Moon program, is falling behind schedule. NASA announced in January the delay of one year, to 2026, of Artemis III, the mission which must deposit astronauts on the surface of the Earth satellite. After Artemis II, postponed from 2024 to 2025, which should send four astronauts around the Moon without landing there, Artemis III should mark the first stage of a lasting American presence on the Moon. A first since 1972 and the end of the Apollo program.

But uncertainties remain regarding the United States’ ability to meet this schedule: the Starship landers, developed by SpaceX, and Blue Moon, designed by Blue Origin, are not ready. And the Starship, launched by a Falcon Heavy, has not yet demonstrated its capabilities following two launches in 2023, which resulted in explosions.

Also read Starship, the great space challenge of Elon Musk who dreams of sending men to Mars

On paper, China must land taikonauts on the Moon three years following the United States

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