It is one of the most iconic moments in human history. Neil Armstrong, the American astronautSomeone whose job it is to go into space., 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. As he lands, he declares: "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind..."

Since then, just 11 other astronauts have gone for a stroll on our nearest satellite - in 55 years! But that could change in 2025, as several space missions will be launched this year, 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 Artemis II mission. Soon after, a female astronaut could make womankind's first Moon walk as part of Artemis III. 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'., the world's richest man and founder of the rocket company 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., claimed that "the first crewed flights to Mars 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, as well as establish a military Space Force.²

This month, SpaceX rockets will launch two new missions to the Moon's surface. A third mission could also come in January - all three of them funded by a Nasa programme giving money for space exploration to private companies.

Then, in February, Nasa will establish a new space observatory designed to investigate the origins of the universeEverything. Including all of time and space and its contents. . 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 a California-based company will create the first private space station. Next year, India hopes to launch its own crewed spacecraft.³

For fans of space travel, this is wonderful news. Each mission brings scientific discoveries and encourages international cooperation. As space lawyer Michelle Hanlon argues, it "offers a unique opportunity to unite us".⁴

But, more than practical benefits, space travel can fill humanity with a sense of wonder. Journeys to the Moon inspire everybody - not just physicists and engineers, but also children learning about the universe and authors of prize-winning novels.⁵

Yet not everyone shares these hopes. Some critics fear that space could become a new realm of competition or even conflict. If governments try to extract resources from asteroids, or launch coloniesArea or countries under the control of another nation. on the Moon, there might be disagreements over who owns what.

Satellites are already a target in military conflicts. In recent years, Russia, China and India have tested missiles that can shoot them down. This creates serious danger for the many technologies that rely on satellites.

As respected security adviser Jamie M. Morin argues, "First and foremost, we need to deter conflict in space."⁶ This also means stopping space from becoming too crowded, with countries and companies competing to launch satellites into the range of "useful orbits" needed for things like broadband internet.

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, pandemics - 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 frontier 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.