More than 200,000 miles from the “pale blue dot” where human history has unfolded, the fates met by two small robots on the surface of the moon tell the stories of shifting international politics on their planet of origin. India’s Chandrayaan-3 module succeeded last week in landing the first lunar rover to explore the moon’s southern polar region, where signs of water as ice have driven new scientific interest. The moment, after a countdown that evoked the lofty ambitions and high nationalism of last century’s space race, captured the attention of a nation eager for an uncontroversial triumph on the world stage. India seemed to be briefly unified by a national obsession rivaling cricket. This achievement marks a soft-power win for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as New Delhi prepares to host the Group of 20 Summit next week. It also signifies India’s emergence as a major space-faring power.
On the other hand, a Russian lunar-landing attempt a few days prior ended in failure, as the spacecraft spun out of control and crashed into the moon. This marked a broader shift among space-going nations, with Russia’s once-dominant role diminishing and new aspirants like India and China stepping up. India’s successful mission, carried out on a relatively modest budget, illustrates that the prestige and soft power of space exploration do not necessarily require the funding or ambitions of NASA to achieve a high impact or gain prestige.
The space race has become more inclusive, with more than 70 countries actively running space programs and collaborating with each other. The focus has shifted towards partnerships and commercial outcomes, as the economics of the space race have changed. Countries like India, China, and the United States are leading the way in exploring commercial opportunities and making space profitable. India has opened up its space sector to private enterprise, leading to a surge in Indian space start-ups. China is pushing for the commercial development of space, and the United States is collaborating with its advanced private space industry. Public-private partnerships have become a cost-effective approach, attracting countries eager to reach beyond Earth on a limited budget.
Space exploration continues to hold appeal for governments as it allows them to demonstrate their commitment to an optimistic future and project their influence on Earth. It symbolizes their intention to be important countries not only in the present but also in the future. The potential for commercial opportunities in space, such as satellite communications, resource extraction, and space tourism, adds to the appeal. The Moon’s resources, including water ice, could be commercially useful for purposes like rocket refueling and life support.
Overall, the shifting landscape of space exploration reflects the changing dynamics of international politics and the emergence of new players. It highlights the significance of space exploration for projecting power and influence on Earth and the potential for commercial opportunities in the space economy. The trend towards public-private partnerships and the involvement of private companies indicate a more inclusive and collaborative approach to space exploration.
