Washington/ Beijing: In a significant announcement, NASA’s interim administrator, Sean Duffy, has declared that the United States and China are in a new space race to claim the most valuable and resource-rich part of the moon. During a press conference focused on drone technology, Duffy outlined America’s ambitious plans to establish a permanent presence on the lunar surface, emphasizing that energy is the critical factor for success.
The primary target of this competition is a specific region of the moon, believed to be the south pole, which is particularly desirable for future exploration and settlement. This area is known to contain valuable resources, including water ice and consistent sunlight. Water ice is essential for supporting human life and can be used to create breathable air and rocket fuel, while constant sunlight provides a reliable source of power for a base. Duffy stated, “There’s a certain part of the moon that everyone knows is the best. There, we have ice. There, we have sunshine. We want to get there first and claim that for America.”
To address the need for a stable energy source, Duffy announced a directive to place a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor on the lunar surface by 2030. This power system, a substantial upgrade from previous concepts, would be capable of powering multiple habitats and industrial-scale facilities. To assuage public concerns about safety, he stressed that the reactor would not be active during its launch from Earth.
Comparing the current Artemis lunar program to the historic Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s, Duffy acknowledged a gap in public awareness. While the Apollo program was a global phenomenon, he noted that many people today are unfamiliar with Artemis, which aims to return humans to the moon for long-term exploration. The administrator’s comments underscore the geopolitical significance of the renewed push for lunar dominance, highlighting a shift from purely scientific exploration to strategic infrastructure development in space.
