Amidst a global competition involving significant powers such as the United States, China, and India to delve into the composition of Earth’s sole natural satellite, Russia has successfully launched its inaugural moon-landing spacecraft, marking its first lunar mission in 47 years.
Russia has revealed its intention to conduct further lunar expeditions, followed by collaborative ventures with China, including crewed missions and the establishment of a potential lunar base. Simultaneously, NASA has expressed its enthusiasm for a “lunar gold rush” and is exploring the feasibility of moon mining.
Positioned at a distance of 384,400 km (238,855 miles) from Earth, the moon plays a pivotal role in stabilizing the planet’s axial wobble, thereby contributing to a more consistent climate. Additionally, the moon’s gravitational pull causes tides across the world’s oceans.
The widely accepted theory asserts that the moon formed around 4.5 billion years ago as a result of a colossal collision with Earth. The aftermath of this collision led to the consolidation of debris, ultimately giving rise to the moon.
Major global powers are primarily pursuing the following resources on the moon:
Water: The first conclusive identification of water on the moon was made by India’s Chandrayaan-1 mission in 2008. Water is crucial for sustaining human life and can serve as a source of hydrogen and oxygen, vital components for rocket fuel.
Helium-3: This rare isotope of helium is abundant on the moon, with estimates suggesting millions of tons of it are present. Helium-3 has the potential to facilitate nuclear energy generation in fusion reactors, and its non-radioactive nature mitigates hazardous waste production.
Rare Earth Metals: The moon harbors a variety of rare earth metals, including scandium, yttrium, and the 15 lanthanides, which are essential components in advanced technologies such as smartphones and computers.
The feasibility of moon mining hinges on the development of infrastructure on the lunar surface. Due to the moon’s challenging conditions, robotic systems would likely handle most tasks, although the presence of water offers the prospect of sustained human habitation.
However, legal frameworks surrounding moon mining remain ambiguous. While the 1966 Outer Space Treaty by the United Nations stipulates that no nation can assert sovereignty over celestial bodies, including the moon, the issue of private entities claiming ownership remains unsettled.
The 1979 Moon Agreement asserts that no part of the moon can become the property of any entity. This agreement has yet to gain significant ratification. The United States, in 2020, introduced the Artemis Accords to enhance existing space law by designating “safety zones” on the moon. Notably, Russia and China have not joined this accord.
As the race to uncover the moon’s hidden resources intensifies, the world grapples with legal and ethical considerations to navigate the uncharted territories of lunar exploration and potential exploitation.
