The New Space Race

As geopolitical rivalries play out in orbit, China emerges as a space leader, Russia seeks relevance, and India strengthens ties with the US to carve its own place in the cosmos

- SHOVANLAL CHAKRABORTY

The developments in space technology are moving ahead at breathtaking speed and space is fast emerging as a new arena where geopolitical rivalries and cooperation are being reflected. Way back in March 2021, Yuri Borisov, the head of Roscosmos (the Russian Space Agency), made an interesting announcement that China and Russia are eager to build a nuclear power station on the Moon by 2033-2035. This, it urges, will help future settlements on the Moon.

Some news reports also suggested rising tension between the United States and Russia after it was reported that the Kremlin was developing an anti-satellite nuclear weapon. Russia denied such claims. Such rumors have, however, heightened fears about US military preparedness in the event of such an attack. Today, China can boost a much-developed and ambitious space program. Chinese have undertaken feats like the spacewalk, Anti-satellite program (ASAT) test, a successful space station, have successfully conducted three unmanned lunar missions and have created the artificial sun. The Chinese also want to undertake a manned lunar mission by 2030.