Will there be another space race soon?

Question

Europe China and the US All have space programs now, NASA plans to go back to the moon around 2020, will any other countries have the ability or intention to try to beat them back their?

Also, do you think any country other then the US will ever get to the moon, and if so when?

Answer 1

There already is another space race.

As for a return to the moon, right now the leader is China. They plan on reaching the moon in 2024. And (nothing against NASA, this isn't their doing) the United States has nothing but some ideas on paper. Until Congress is willing to actually fund a lunar program-which they have not--that makes China the leader--because they ARE funding their program.

Answer 2

Possibly...

China really needs to step on the gas though, in experience and technology they are still quite a way behind the US and Europe.

However, if China does get on the moon, I feel the race will really ignite - towards Mars perhaps. There could yet be a third competitor too, if the smaller space agencies all band together we could have an interesting future in space.

Answer 3

We are currently looking at two possible space races emerging, one civilian and another military.

The civilian aerospace sector currently has several groups (large and small) who are trying to develop safe and reusable methods of reaching orbit. Their end-goals vary wildly, but several show promise. Virgin Galactic already sends passengers into extreme low orbit for an artificial free-fall experience. And Jonathan Clark (a Columbia widower) is currently working on space-suit capable of non-vehicular return to earth.

On the military side, China just became the first nation capable of shooting satellites out of orbit. Because the United State's military relies on satellites for communications and reconnaissance, this poses a significant military threat. There is the possibility of a race to weaponize space, but more than likely this won't turn into anything big in the short term.

Answer 4

I don't think there will be a government space race, but I think we could end up with a race, or at least competition, between private companies trying to send tourists to space for less money. Eventually they will be giving rides to the Moon, but initially it will be limited to suborbital and low Earth orbit flights.

Answer 5

there was one between the ESA and NASA a while ago, with the mars lander probe. the us one got there later, but the ESA on crashed (presumably).

as for racing, i dont think so.

Answer 6

Hope so!