🌕 Race to the Moon: China advances, the United States struggles

While China accelerates its preparations for a lunar landing, the United States is encountering unforeseen obstacles with its Artemis program. Why is this space race taking such an uncertain turn?

The former NASA administrator, Michael Griffin, expressed severe criticism during a congressional hearing. He believes the current architecture of the lunar missions is doomed to failure and presents unacceptable risks for astronauts. According to him, the plan followed for years lacks coherence and could delay the American return to the Moon.


The success of Artemis 3, planned for 2027, depends on an untested orbital refueling system (see explanation at the end of the article). It would require up to twelve launches of SpaceX's Starship rocket, with risks of fuel evaporation during the wait. Griffin claims this approach is technically unfeasible with current means and should be abandoned to start over from scratch.

In contrast to this situation, the Apollo program in the 1960s carried out missions every few months. China, for its part, is following a stable long-term strategy, allowing it to advance steadily. Internal SpaceX documents, revealed by Politico, indicate that the first crewed lunar landing might not occur before 2028.

NASA is going through a period of turbulence, with budget reductions and personnel losses. The acting administrator, Sean Duffy, criticized SpaceX for its delays and is considering opening the lunar module contract to other companies, like Blue Origin. This programmatic instability contrasts with Chinese consistency, noted by experts during the hearing.

If China reaches the Moon first, it could establish the standards for using lunar resources, a considerable strategic advantage. Griffin indicates that the real challenge is to commit durably to exploration, otherwise the United States risks ceding the space field to other powers.


The decisions made today will shape the future of space exploration. The race to the Moon goes beyond mere technological competition to touch on issues of global leadership and access to extraterrestrial resources.

Orbital Refueling

Orbital refueling is a technique that involves transferring fuel between spacecraft after launch. This allows reducing the mass at liftoff and reaching distant destinations like the Moon or Mars. However, this method is challenging and requires precise rendezvous in microgravity, with risks of propellant leaks or evaporation.

For Artemis, SpaceX proposes using its Starship rocket to refuel a lunar module in Earth orbit. This requires several successive launches, increasing the probability of incidents. Also, the extreme temperatures in space can cause the fuel to boil, making it unusable even before departure for the Moon.

Alternatives exist, such as the development of more stable propellants or improved storage systems. Other space agencies are exploring different approaches, but none have yet demonstrated a proven solution on a large scale.

Without significant advances, lunar projects could be delayed or require simpler and less ambitious architectures. Innovation in this field remains a major obstacle for the global space industry.

The Geopolitics of Space

Space conquest has become a major geopolitical issue, where nations seek to assert their influence. Being the first to reach the Moon in the 21st century allows setting international standards for the exploitation of resources, such as water or minerals. This can confer a lasting economic and strategic advantage.

Historically, the race to the Moon was driven by the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. Today, China is emerging as a serious competitor, with a planned long-term approach. International agreements, like the space treaties, attempt to regulate these activities, but they often remain imprecise.

If a nation establishes a permanent presence on the Moon, it could control access to certain areas, influencing future scientific and commercial projects. This raises questions about equity and cooperation in space, with implications for global peace and security.

The choices made now will shape international relations for decades to come. Increased collaboration could avoid conflicts, but the current competition shows that national interests often prevail.