Why is China building a base on the Moon?

China's ambitious space program just took a giant leap forward, unveiling plans to construct a lunar space station, launch manned lunar missions, and search for habitable planets over the next few decades. With a long-term vision mapped out through 2050, China’s space agencies are setting the stage for a monumental era in space exploration. But what’s driving this cosmic push – and why the Moon?

The three-phase roadmap

China’s lunar aspirations are just one part of a broader national plan for space science, announced by the China Academy of Sciences (CAS), the China National Space Administration, and the China Manned Space Agency. This detailed plan, spanning 2024 to 2050, includes a three-phase roadmap that begins with laying the groundwork for manned lunar exploration and planetary studies through 2027.

From 2028 to 2035, China will build an international lunar research station as part of its second phase, marking a significant investment in permanent lunar infrastructure. While the lunar base will help with exploration, it will also serve as a strategic step towards expanding China’s influence in space, making it a key player in a new wave of extraterrestrial research.

China’s plans don’t stop at the Moon. Part of the long-term strategy involves seeking habitable planets and investigating the potential for extraterrestrial life. Through various space science missions, China aims to explore celestial bodies both within the solar system and beyond. This quest for knowledge includes exoplanet detection and characterizing planetary atmospheres, which are critical for understanding potential habitability.

“Scientists will also explore the habitability of celestial bodies in the solar system and exoplanets, and search for extraterrestrial life,” explains Ding Chibiao, Vice-President of the CAS. By combining these efforts with lunar exploration, China is broadening the scope of its space research, potentially paving the way for future interplanetary missions.

The big picture

Beyond immediate goals, China’s space plan also includes studying cosmic phenomena. China will delve into key scientific themes like the “extreme universe,” focusing on the origins and evolution of the cosmos, detecting dark matter, and uncovering the mysteries of cosmic baryonic matter. China aims to push the boundaries of what we know about the universe, from gravitational waves to the fundamental nature of gravity itself.

With new missions focused on the Sun, Earth, and heliosphere, China will conduct comprehensive Earth-Moon observations and investigate space weather. These studies aim to deepen understanding of Earth’s cycles and the larger forces at play within the solar system.

China’s program isn’t just about lunar bases and scientific exploration; it’s a bold step in the growing global space race. As one of the few countries with its own space station and a lunar mission under its belt, China is looking to establish itself as a premier player in space science. With a lunar base on the horizon, China’s focus on the Moon and beyond reflects a strategic move to claim its place in the future of space exploration.

(With inputs from agencies)