In a groundbreaking endeavor, DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) has announced a ten-year research project to explore the possibility of human colonization on the Moon. This ambitious initiative, known as the LunA-10 project, aims to develop ideas and technologies that will support the establishment of lunar infrastructure. Interestingly, this comes at a time when NASA chief, Bill Nelson, expresses concerns about China potentially claiming the Moon as its own territory. It’s worth noting that the race for space exploration originated during the Cold War era, as the United States and the USSR competed for global supremacy through technological advancements. Now, history seems to be repeating itself as the United States and China vie for dominance in lunar exploration and scientific discoveries. The focus of this article will be on the plans outlined by the DARPA Moon study, which aims to develop scalable, shareable, and interoperable systems. Additionally, we will explore the reasons behind NASA’s apprehension about China’s intentions towards the Earth’s satellite. But first, let’s delve into the details of how the DARPA Moon study will work.
Unfortunately, the DARPA webpage dedicated to its lunar program is currently inaccessible to the public. However, other sources have provided insights into the project. The Register, for instance, has shared additional information about the ten-year Lunar Architecture or LunA-10 Project. This initiative will span over seven months and aims to investigate the possibilities of sustaining human life on the Moon. According to Michael Nayak, the program manager of DARPA’s Strategic Technology Office, “For 65 years, DARPA has been at the forefront of pioneering and de-risking technologies crucial to advancing space exploration. LunA-10 continues this legacy by identifying and expediting the development of key technologies that can benefit both government and commercial space industries, ultimately fostering economic growth on the Moon.” DARPA is particularly interested in advancing industries such as construction, communications, sciences, medicine, and mining. Furthermore, DARPA is collaborating with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to ensure the success of the Moon study by identifying additional necessary investments. Michael Nayak explains that they aim to “figure out what NASA is doing, understand their roadmap, and identify complementary investments that align with DARPA’s mission.” The ultimate goal is to create a thriving commercial economy on the Moon, much like how DARPA’s ARPANET project laid the foundation for the internet as we know it today.
Now, let’s address NASA chief Bill Nelson’s concerns about China’s potential claim over the Moon. In an interview with Politico, Nelson emphasized his worries, stating, “I don’t want China to get to the [Moon’s] south pole first with humans and then say: this is ours, stay out. If we discover water in abundance, for instance, we want to make sure that it’s available to everyone.” Nelson’s apprehension stems from China’s military expansion in the South China Sea and the possibility of similar actions in outer space. He also cited the example of China’s activities in the Spratly Islands. Terry Virts, a retired Air Force colonel, supports Nelson’s concerns and highlights the political motivations behind China’s pursuit of lunar dominance. According to Virts, “On one level, it is a political competition to show whose system works better. What they really want is respect as the world’s top country. They want to be the dominant power on Earth, so going to the moon is a way to show their system is working. If they beat us back to the moon, it shows they are better than us.”
In conclusion, DARPA is embarking on a significant seven-month lunar program known as the LunA-10 project, aimed at exploring the possibilities of human colonization on the Moon. The project seeks to develop scalable and interoperable systems that will support a commercial economy on the Moon. Simultaneously, NASA chief Bill Nelson expresses concerns about China’s intentions regarding the Moon, highlighting the potential for territorial claims. As the United States and China engage in a new space race, their scientific discoveries and advancements will undoubtedly shape the future of space exploration and impact our daily lives. Stay informed about the latest digital trends and tips at Inquirer Tech.
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