China and the New Moon Race is the newest publication from the Space Policy Institute (SPI) at the Elliott School of International Affairs. It features a collection of papers from SPI Non-Resident Scholar, and distinguished China scholar and commentator, Dr. Dean Cheng. True to its name, China and the New Moon Race focuses on the PRC's plans for moon missions, both human and robotic. Dr. Cheng pays particular attention to:
- China's use of international engagements in human spaceflight efforts,
- China's space flight efforts beyond earth orbit,
- the acceleration of the PRC lunar program, and
- implications of China's cis-lunar efforts.
Taken together, Cheng's analysis offers invaluable insight into the possible political calculations behind China's efforts in space and to US-China space competition. As SPI Director Scott Pace explains in his preface to the volume, "Rivalry between great powers that extends into space may seem familiar in some respects, but geopolitical conditions today are very different from the Apollo era. This work is intended to contribute to a better understanding of the competitive challenge the United States and its allies are facing and will face in the years ahead."
Interested in learning more? China and the New Moon Race is available to download in its entirety for free.