First stop, the Moon. Next stop, Mars? Why Nasa’s mission matters

Nasa is preparing to launch Artemis II soon, marking the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon in nearly five decades. This journey will be pivotal for future lunar landings and the eventual construction of a permanent base. The agency’s Artemis initiative, spanning years of development and involving countless teams, has already cost an estimated $93bn. Yet, for some, the mission feels like a familiar chapter in space exploration history.

More than half a century ago, Apollo missions achieved a milestone by landing humans on the Moon. With six successful landings, the lunar surface was conquered, and the Moon was largely deemed a completed goal. But now, the US is rekindling interest in the Moon, driven by new objectives. While the Moon’s surface appears desolate, it is far from barren. “The Moon contains elements similar to those found on Earth,” explains Prof Sara Russell, a planetary scientist at the Natural History Museum. “For instance, rare earth elements—scarce on our planet—may be concentrated in certain lunar regions, making them valuable for mining.”

Additionally, the Moon holds metals like iron and titanium, as well as helium, essential for superconductors and medical tools. However, the most critical resource is water, which could revolutionize lunar habitation. “Water is trapped in some of its minerals and exists in significant quantities at the poles,” says Russell. “In permanently shadowed craters, ice can accumulate, providing a lifeline for astronauts. It not only supplies drinking water but can also be split into hydrogen and oxygen for breathable air and rocket fuel.”

A New Race for Lunar Dominance

The Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s were fueled by the Cold War rivalry with the Soviet Union. Today, the competition is with China, which has made rapid strides in its space program. The nation has successfully deployed robotic explorers to the Moon and aims to send humans there by 2030. For both countries, the stakes are high: claiming the best lunar locations to secure access to vital resources.

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty ensures no country can claim ownership of the Moon itself, but it allows nations to operate on its surface. “You can’t own the land, but you can use it as long as you want,” notes Dr Helen Sharman, the UK’s first astronaut. “This means securing the most resource-rich areas is key to long-term presence.”

Nasa’s ultimate aim is Mars, with a target of sending humans by the 2030s. While this timeline is ambitious, experts argue the Moon is the logical starting point. “Establishing a sustained presence on the Moon is safer, cheaper, and easier than attempting it on Mars,” says Libby Jackson, head of space at the Science Museum. “It serves as a testing ground for technologies needed to survive on another planet.”

Unearthing Earth’s History

Scientists are eager to study lunar materials, as the Moon holds a unique record of Earth’s past. “The Moon preserves a 4.5bn-year archive of our planet’s history,” says Russell. “Since it was once part of Earth, its surface remains untouched by plate tectonics or weathering, acting like a time capsule.”

The Apollo missions’ returned samples transformed our understanding of the Moon. “They revealed that the Moon was formed by a massive collision between Earth and a Mars-sized body,” Russell explains. “This theory is supported by the minerals found in the rocks brought back.” Yet, the Moon continues to offer new discoveries, making it a vital stepping stone for future space exploration.