New Moon Race

Over the years, various entities from the U.S., Russia, India, Israel, and Japan have attempted to land machines in the Moon's southern region. NASA's Artemis III, set for 2025 (and delayed later for 2027), aims to mark humanity's first return to the Moon in over 50 years. This mission is notable for its diverse crew, including the first woman and the first person of color to land on the Moon.

The Moon's allure extends beyond scientific research, as both government and private sectors are considering it for industrial and commercial opportunities, particularly due to its resource potential that could benefit Earth. Scientists are exploring innovative solutions, such as melting the Moon's equipment-damaging dust with large lenses to create stable roads and landing areas, addressing some of the environmental challenges of lunar activities. Future lunar missions are expected to employ advanced robotics and technology, with goals extending to colonization and using the Moon as a stepping stone for further space exploration. This necessitates the development of new design paradigms for off-Earth settlements. To learn more about the roles planners could play in planning for space, listen to "The Role of Planners in Space Exploration" in the APA podcast's Trend Talk series.