Weltraum·21.5.2026KI-Zusammenfassung China's Moon Base Race Accelerates, Pressuring US and Shaping Future Exploration
China, in collaboration with Russia, is accelerating its plans for a permanent lunar base, the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), aiming for a manned scientific station by 2035. This initiative, focusing on in-situ resource utilization and international partnerships, puts pressure on NASA's Artemis program, which faces delays and strategic adjustments. The Moon's south pole, rich in water ice, is the focal point of this new space race, emphasizing sustainable bases over mere prestige.