Přehled o publikaci

Space has become a new domain of great power competition, with the U.S. maintaining its dominant position. However, its preponderance is being challenged by China, as outer space is considered strategically important for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and an indispensable part of Beijing’s vision of mankind as a global community of shared destiny. The cislunar space with the Moon at its core then constitutes an object of great importance. Not only does it contain vast reservoirs of water, helium, and other indispensable resources needed for the development of the Earth’s economy, but it also has a strategic position for any further outer space exploration and human expansion to other planets. Under President Trump, the U.S. announced its intention to return to the Moon’s surface as part of the ambitious Artemis mission, which should include the build-up of the habitable base. To bolster its dominance, Washington launched the Artemis Accords, acquiring the support of 53 states for its vision of future conduct on the Moon and the cislunar space. However, through the successful Chang’e probe missions, China reached many unprecedented scientific achievements and, in 2022, announced the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). Supported by Russia and its Luna program, it plans to establish a competing Moon-based station after 2030. It also used the ILRS to spread its influence among the Global South countries, with 13 of them assigned to participate. My paper will, therefore, map the development of both competing Moon projects, their origins, underlying visions, and the international cooperation behind them. It will also describe its impact on the great power competition in space and the risks of turning the Moon into a war-fighting domain. It will contribute to the understanding of the nascent astropolitics (the geopolitics in space) and China’s role in it.