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Moon Divided: 71 Nations with US, Who Sides with China-Russia in New Space Race?
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News18•24-09-2026, 15:24
Moon Divided: 71 Nations with US, Who Sides with China-Russia in New Space Race?
- •A new battle for control on the moon has emerged, splitting the world into two factions: one led by the US, and the other by China and Russia.
- •The US has gathered 71 countries under the Artemis Accords, including India, while China has united 13 nations under the Joint International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), including Pakistan.
- •Both sides are racing to establish permanent bases at the moon's South Pole, with the US pursuing its Artemis program and China-Russia their ILRS mission.
- •The Artemis Accords were initiated by NASA in 2020 for peaceful space research and resource utilization, while the ILRS mission began in 2021.
- •Establishing a moon base is seen as preparation for Mars missions, allowing for studies on human life in low gravity and resource production in space.
Key Questions Answered
The global lunar race has split the world into two factions, with America uniting 71 countries under the NASA-led Artemis Accords, while China and Russia have gathered 13 nations under the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).
India joined the Artemis Accords in 2023 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to America, making it the largest space power in the coalition after the United States.
NASA's Artemis program aims to establish a permanent human presence on the moon's South Pole through five planned missions, featuring a crewed flight scheduled for 2028 after upcoming milestones next year.
