It is one of the most iconic moments in human history. On 21 July 1969, American astronautSomeone whose job it is to go into space. Neil Armstrong steps from the ApolloA US space programme which ran from 1961 to 1972 and took 12 astronauts to the moon and the ancient Greek god of the sun, poetry, and archery. Lunar Module to walk on the surface of the Moon.

Since then, 11 other astronauts have gone for a stroll on our nearest satellite - in 55 years! But that could change soon, as several space missions will be launched in 2025, some with landing craft for the Moon. By 2026, NasaThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration, responsible for the US space programme. astronaut Christina Koch will have become the first woman to travel to the Moon on the ArtemisIn Greek mythology, Artemis was the goddess of hunting and the Moon, and the sister of Apollo.    mission and soon after a female astronaut could step foot on the Moon. The space race is back.Though none of the astronauts plan to walk on the surface, the space race is back.

Last September, Elon MuskA South African-born entrepreneur whose companies have included the online payment service PayPal. He now controls Twitter, renamed 'X'. claimed that "the first crewed flights to MarsThe fourth planet from the Sun and the second-smallest planet in the Solar System. will be in four years".¹ During his presidential campaign, Donald TrumpAn American television personality who became US president from 2016 to 2020, and will become president again in January 2025. also promised to reach Mars by 2028.²

This month, SpaceXFounded in 2002 by South African entrepreneur Elon Musk, SpaceX's mission is to reduce the cost of space transportation to make possible the colonisation of Mars. rockets will launch two new missions to the Moon's surface. A third mission could also come in January, and in February Nasa will establish a new space observatory. Later this year China will send a mission to an asteroidA small body in space, made of metal and rock material. Asteroids usually orbit the sun, but if knocked off course they can be drawn into Earth's gravity and fall towards it. , and next year India hopes to launch its own crewed spacecraft.³

For fans of space travel, this is wonderful news. As space lawyerSomeone whose job it is to give advice about the law or speak for someone in court. Michelle Hanlon argues, it "offers a unique opportunity to unite us".⁴

Space travel can also fill humanity with a sense of wonder. Journeys to the Moon inspire everybody - not just physicists and engineers, but even authors of prize-winning novels.⁵

Yet some critics fear that space could become a new realm of competition. If governments try to extract resources from asteroidsSmall bodies in space, made of metal and rock material. Asteroids usually orbit the sun, but if knocked off course they can be drawn into Earth's gravity and fall towards it. , or launch coloniesArea or countries under the control of another nation. on the Moon, there might be conflict. As respected security adviser Jamie M. Morin argues: "First and foremost, we need to deter conflict in space."⁶

More space travel certainly means more risks. But the potential rewards are enormous too. New technology creates new possibilities, which in turn makes people more hopeful about the future. Climate change, population decline, pandemicsWhen a disease spreads across an extremely large area, or the entire world. A pandemic is more severe than an epidemic. - who knows what problems space travel might help us to solve?

Could a lunar landing unite the world? 

Yes: Space travel opens up new commercial opportunities and encourages scientists from all countries to work together. It also inspires people to look up at the stars and hope for the future.

No: A space race between China, India and America means the solar systemThe Sun and the objects whose movement it controls. could become a new frontierThe most advanced achievement in a particular area. for conflict. The area of space where most satellites orbit is already growing crowded.

Or... A new generation of space exploration will create new forms of technology. This could help us to solve problems like climate change and even transform the way we live.