Private companies and countries such as the US, Japan and China are leading the new race to the Moon, with missions that promise to explore lunar ice, test revolutionary technologies and pave the way for a permanent human presence on the satellite by 2030.
The Moon, our celestial neighbor, has once again taken center stage in space exploration. After decades of relative calm, 2025 promises to be a decisive year in the so-called “Moon race.” Major technological advances and the involvement of private companies are transforming the dream of exploring the Moon into an increasingly tangible reality.
But what makes this new phase so special? It's the combination of boldness, innovation and the desire to answer fundamental questions about our existence and the universe. With high-impact missions already planned, the next chapter in this race promises to be the most exciting yet.
What is the Moon Race?
The race to the Moon, historically, was marked by the competition between the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1960s. The peak of this period was the arrival of man on the Moon with the Apollo 11 mission, in 1969.
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Today, however, the lunar race has changed. Now, private companies such as SpaceX, Firefly and Blue Origin are joining forces with space agencies such as NASA, while countries such as China and Japan are entering the game with their own ambitions. It is a technological and scientific dispute, but also an economic one, with the aim of transforming the Moon into a strategic base for the future.
The 2025 Highlight Missions
Firefly Aerospace is ready for its first lunar mission with the Blue Ghost lander. This mission promises to not only collect data on lunar regolith, but also test innovative technologies such as self-cleaning glass and advanced navigation systems.
Additionally, Blue Ghost will carry the Lunar PlanetVac, an experiment that will help in collecting lunar soil samples. With a carefully chosen landing site, Mare Crisium, the mission aims to bring valuable insights into the geological formation of the Moon.
Ispace and Resilience
Japan's Ispace is returning to the lunar field with the Resilience spacecraft, following the failure of the Hakuto-R mission in 2023. Now, with an updated design and advanced technologies, the company is seeking to land on Mare Frigoris, on the near side of the Moon.
The mission carries a small rover and equipment to test algae-based food production. These experiments are crucial steps toward making life sustainable in extraterrestrial environments.
Intuitive Machines and the Lunar South Pole
The strategic focus on the Moon's South Pole is not without reason. The region is believed to have reserves of water ice, which are essential for future manned missions. Intuitive Machines, after a successful landing in 2024, plans to send the Athena module to explore this area in detail.
With PRIME-1 on board, the mission will seek to drill and study lunar ice, while the Lunar Trailblazer satellite will help map the distribution of water on the lunar surface.
The rising lunar economy
Lunar exploration is no longer just a scientific endeavor. Private companies are shaping a new economy based on space exploration. Programs like NASA’s CLPS encourage this partnership by funding commercial missions to the Moon.
Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly, described 2025 as a “huge moment for the lunar economy.” The fierce competition not only accelerates innovation, but also creates opportunities to transform the Moon into a natural extension of humanity.
What does the future hold for the Moon race? For NASA, the goal goes beyond returning to the Moon. The agency wants to establish a permanent lunar base, ensuring that human presence on the satellite becomes sustainable.