Moon orbit: where is humanity heading?
The four-person Orion crew has successfully completed its orbit of the Moon. The space capsule is now making its return, with the help of Earth's gravitational pull. The photos and live streams from Orion are circulating around the world. But as the media commentary shows, people's excitement about technological progress is matched by their concern for the future.
A new chapter is being written
Naftemporiki speculates on what our planet Earth looks like from space:
“At a time of fierce, bloody and destructive geopolitical conflicts that will leave a lasting mark on human history, the journey of a four-astronaut NASA crew shows us that humankind possesses the ability to rise above itself and start a new chapter in the evolution of the species that rules planet Earth. … Most people on Earth today would love to know what the four passengers on the Orion are feeling as they gaze out at the blue planet in the infinite universe, beautiful to behold yet scarred by human flaws.”
Cooperation still possible
Le Quotidien looks back with a touch of nostalgia:
“The Orion capsule is a wonderful symbol of the international cooperation that defines the Artemis programme. The propulsion module was assembled in Europe. The European Space Agency (ESA) is a key partner of NASA. However, since 2020 [when the Artemis Accords were signed] the global situation has deteriorated significantly. The return to the Moon – initially in the form of a simple flyby – is taking place as fierce conflicts play out in Ukraine and the Middle East. Against this turbulent backdrop, the Artemis II mission serves as a reminder that global cooperation remains possible.”
Nasty aftertaste
The Tagesspiegel is not feeling the thrill of the first moon landing:
“Why does something that was once so exciting now just feel disconcerting? ... Back then the US was at least a country that stood by the principles of free democracy, international law and human rights. The flight to the moon symbolised the success of this system, of the free world. ... Under Trump's administration, US science and global research as a whole have never been in a more precarious position. It's very tempting to brush all that to one side in the face of this momentous and fascinating event. ... But that would mean silently accepting Trump's politics and his betrayal of science. ”
US wants space superiority
Kommersant examines the lunar mission from the perspective of Trump's space strategy:
“As of 2033 or thereabouts, there will be an operational base on the lunar surface which allows astronauts to continuously work for a month. ... The base will be powered by a mini nuclear power plant, and the astronauts will primarily conduct experiments on the use of lunar resources. This is entirely in line with the decree on a new space strategy signed by Trump in December 2025, with the revealing title 'Ensuring American Space Superiority' – the goal is full hegemony for the sake of prestige, security and, ultimately, economic exploitation.”
Not clear who will win this race
It remains to be seen which country will be the first to colonise the Moon, comments Habertürk:
“Developments in China are being followed with great interest. ... Artemis II is laying the initial technical foundations for the civilisation that humanity will found on the Moon and perhaps even on Mars one day. The next missions will aim to establish a permanent presence on the Moon, carry out production there and drive progress forward. However, at this stage it is hard to say which country will take the lead in this race.”
Moon just a stepping stone to Mars
The space race is all about access to resources, writes The Irish Times:
“The lunar south pole may hold significant deposits of water ice convertible into rocket fuel and drinking water. The Moon also harbours helium-3, a potential fusion fuel, alongside rare earth minerals of growing strategic value. For both Washington and Beijing, it is not an end in itself but a staging post on the road to Mars. And whoever establishes a presence there first will have set the terms for everything that follows.”