Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Creating a cis-lunar economy will take time, hardware, and political willingness to forge a link between the Moon and Earth.
(Image credit: Lockheed Martin)

In the U.S. and China-led race to put astronauts back on the Moon, there is, in fact, one shared goal: establishing a sustainable, permanent, crewed Moon base. But their specific plans to achieve that moonshot are far from similar, with key differences that could dictate which country gets there first—and, just maybe, which controls the moon itself.

Artist’s view of China’s International Lunar Research Station . Credit: CNSA

With China and the U.S. in a high-stakes race to build permanent lunar outposts, can both nations coexist on the lunar turf?

Go to my new Scientific American story – “How to Build a Moon Base” – at:

[NOTE: Open this link in incognito window to view Scientific American story beyond pay wall]

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-build-a-moon-base/