India, China and Israel are part of a new space race that could break the record for the most moon landings in a year, The Washington Post is reporting.
China landed a spacecraft on the far side of the moon on January 3. It marked China’s ambitions to rival the U.S., Europe and Russia in space.
Meanwhile, an Israeli spacecraft is scheduled to launch for the moon this month. Both India and China have moon missions planned later this year. NASA, partnering with the private sector, also is hoping to land a spacecraft on the moon as early as this year.
If all come off as planned, it will set a record for the most soft lunar landings in a single year topping 1966 and 1972 when three vehicles touched down each year, the Post said.
“It’s important we get back to the moon as fast as possible,” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said. “We’re going to take shots on goal.”
The newspaper noted the administration has made returning to the moon a top priority. NASA has plans to develop spacecraft capable of transporting humans to the moon’s surface by 2028. And the space agency said building a permanent presence on and near the moon is key to the plans.
“This time, we go to the moon, we’re actually going to stay,” Bridenstine said. “We’re not going to leave flags and footprints, and then come home, to not go back for another 50 years.”
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