Relevance: GS II (International Relations) & GS III (Space Technology) | Source: The Hindu

1. The Context: Artemis II Launched

NASA’s Artemis II has successfully launched, sending a four-member crew around the Moon. This 10-day flyby mission is historic as it carries the first woman and the first non-U.S. citizen (Canadian) beyond low-Earth orbit.

2. The U.S. vs. China Rivalry

The core driver behind this mission is the fierce geopolitical race with China. Both nations are targeting the Lunar South Pole. This region contains permanently shadowed craters holding water ice—the “oil of space” that can be split into hydrogen and oxygen to manufacture rocket fuel for deeper space exploration.

3. The Strategy Shift

Facing a highly credible threat from China’s planned International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), NASA has radically overhauled its timeline. The U.S. has officially canceled its planned Lunar Gateway (a lunar orbiting space station) to divert all funds and resources directly toward building permanent infrastructure on the Moon’s surface.

4. Global Alliances

Unlike the Apollo missions, the Artemis program relies heavily on private companies (like SpaceX) and international partnerships. To set the rules for deep-space governance, the U.S. leads the Artemis Accords, aiming to secure technological dominance before China dictates lunar laws.

The “UPSC Trap”

  • The “Lunar Gateway” Trap: A statement might claim that building the Lunar Gateway is the central focus of the current Artemis roadmap. Incorrect. As per recent updates, NASA has canceled the Gateway to focus on surface infrastructure.

UPSC Value Box

Concept / Initiative Simple Meaning
Artemis Accords A U.S.-led, non-binding international agreement for peaceful and transparent space exploration. India signed the Accords in 2023.
Water Ice (Lunar South Pole) Frozen water found in permanently shadowed craters at the Moon’s poles. It is critical for drinking water, oxygen, and making rocket propellant.

With reference to lunar exploration and the Artemis program, consider the following statements:

  1. The Artemis II mission aims to successfully land astronauts, including the first woman, on the lunar South Pole.
  2. The Lunar Gateway, an orbital space station around the Moon, has been canceled by NASA to accelerate surface infrastructure development.
  3. India officially became a signatory to the United States-led Artemis Accords in the year 2023.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (b)

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