Mars may be a hellhole, but the moon is not far behind

A new competition to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon is underway, led by the United States and China, alongside other nations and private companies.

Unlike the 20th-century space race focused on planting flags, this effort aims to build permanent lunar bases.

NASA, under Administrator Jared Isaacman, has accelerated plans with announcements in 2026, including robotic landers, communication satellites, and a nuclear power plant.

Initial missions, starting in 2028, will focus on exploration and testing technology, with long-term habitation planned for the 2030s.

The goal is to create a network of research stations, mining plants, and landing pads spanning hundreds of square miles.

The competition is driven by geopolitical motives, as the first to establish a base may define the Moon's future role, whether as a military outpost, manufacturing hub, or scientific preserve.