The Spire

Sean Rego ’26

Opinion Editorial 

For the first issue of the semester, I was going to write something about ever-heated politics, or maybe the anniversary of the passing of the Queen. However, I thought it would be nice to look hopefully towards the stars. Someone once said that we were “born too late to explore the world, born too early to explore the galaxy,” but I don’t think that applies to our solar system. With nations around the world beginning to realize the treasures of the cosmos, I think we could very well be the pioneers of a new, competitive space race, starting with the Moon. It will be a race for second place for some, but it’s paramount that there’s some amount of rivalry, as I think it will benefit us all. 

This of course wouldn’t be humanity’s first extraterrestrial contest. In the latter half of the 20th Century, the world watched in awe as the United States and the Soviet Union swaggered their capabilities. The Russians got to space first with Sputnik and Yuri Gagarin, but America took the lion’s share of accomplishments when their men orbited, landed and returned from the Moon in 1969. These global triumphs were great steps in our history, and probably wouldn’t have been so soon without our urge to outcompete each other. Yet despite the promises that float above us, we’ve stagnated. Sure, we accomplished some cool things between 1970 and now, but they all pale in comparison to our tenacious efforts of the ‘50s and ‘60s. Why’s that exactly? 

I’d at least say because the incentive disappeared; we no longer wanted to explore. After it became clear that the USSR was rotting from the inside out, the USA no longer had a space rival, and thus a reason to win. Although America can take pride in being the most successful spacefaring nation, we should be just as embarrassed for our lost potential. However, it looks like we might have some new challengers on the block. 

About a month ago, India successfully landed a moon rover on the Moon’s south pole, brandishing the rising country’s prowess. India is now the fourth to land on the Moon and the first to do so at its south pole. Simultaneously, Russia’s own spacecraft (destined for the same region) crashed and failed. For a country with such a rich history in space exploration, it was a rather sad blunder. Yet this mini-contest between the two powers was not only to be the first to land on the lunar south pole, but more importantly to find lunar water. If successful, such a discovery would be monumental in the future of any country’s lunar station. 

Then there’s China. They launched their first lunar craft in 2013, and in 2020 the Chinese flag was planted by the Chang’e 5 spacecraft on the Moon. The CCP’s ambition doesn’t end there; they also plan to have a manned mission by the end of the decade. Putting men on another world would be a monumental achievement (and convenient distraction) for China, especially if it coincides with her 80th anniversary of communist rule.  

Other nations also have lunar ambitions: Japan, Israel, the UAE, the UK and more. The European Space Agency, although strong partners with NASA, nevertheless has its own extraterrestrial ideas. Will this competition be enough to entice America? I think so.

The USA recently awoke from its post-Apollo haze. In 2019, the Trump Administration created the newest branch of the US military, Space Force. Although there is a lot to be said (and answered) about the USSF, it ultimately tells us that the USA recognizes the need to reside in Space. Furthermore, the US-led Artemis Accords is a mission to ensure peaceful exploration of our solar system. It also has goals to team up with SpaceX and send new spacecraft to the Moon by 2024 and a manned mission in 2025. Finally, it looks like we’re going back. 

Someone will be setting up a lunar station in the coming decades; perhaps the big question is who? We have an edge, but we also have changing politics and an easily-disgruntled voter-base, whereas China needs a victory to fix its image. But really, I’m not too worried who will be the first, rather I’m looking forward to the technological advances we will make from our lunar race. 

Honestly, we shouldn’t be afraid of the inevitable race for space. The more energy we spend getting out of the atmosphere, the less is spent on growing nuclear stockpiles or heightening tensions. A new age of exploration would distract us from regressive rivalries, and would be a great way to let loose pent up pressure between nations. I don’t want to romanticize the idea of lunar and solar exploration, but I do think it will give us Americans (and others) determination to triumph. 

Let’s say one country gets back to the Moon. Well then another country one-ups that and establishes a lunar base. To counter that, a mission to Mars could be set up, and then a subsequent base or perhaps a mission to a lucrative asteroid. If a new space age were anything like the contest of the ‘50s and ‘60s, then we would be destined to accomplish things once only found in fantasy.

Granted, there will always be risks and concerns in any competition between great powers, but I think the treasures beyond far outweigh our fears (at least in comparison to our planetary arms races). Our generation, seemingly in a crisis of identity, can find our purpose in the heavens and not on the battlelines. I cannot say who will take the lion’s share of accomplishments in the decades to come, but I look forward to the great solar game it will be, and with any luck a great benefit for all mankind.