I see the moon, and the moon sees me
Roughly 384 400 km from the pale blue dot we call Earth hangs an orb that has fascinated humanity for millennia. The Moon is our planet’s only natural satellite and is about a quarter of Earth’s size. Only 12 people set foot on it between 1969 and 1972, but more than 50 years later, the Artemis programme aims to add to that number.
In early March, NASA’s Artemis II mission will carry four astronauts on a lunar flyby during a 10-day trip, with later missions set to put feet back on the Moon’s surface.
For Prof. Amare Abebe, Director of the Centre for Space Research at North-West University (NWU) in South Africa and president of the African Astronomical Society, the renewed international momentum around lunar exploration is driven by both strategic and scientific imperatives.
“I think it is now easier than ever before because technology has advanced, the cost of travel has reduced significantly, and the economic benefits are becoming clearer. The timing is also aligned with increasing international competition, with different countries starting space programmes. We have seen China and India catching up in what people call the ‘new space’ era, along with many other countries. So there is a renewed sense of competition, in addition to advances in technology and decreasing costs,” he explains, adding that, although there are similarities to the space race of the Cold War, “let us hope that is not the case.”
Giant leap
The Artemis II mission is the first step in renewed crewed lunar exploration and a giant leap towards sustaining it.
“Artemis III and Artemis IV missions are already being planned after Artemis II. The first mission, Artemis I, was uncrewed and went closer to the Moon. Artemis II is now crewed and will orbit the Moon rather than land, testing technologies and conditions to support future missions. Artemis III is expected to land on the Moon and explore the southern pole. Artemis IV aims to establish infrastructure, such as a lunar space station. These sequential steps are designed to ensure sustainable space exploration, providing invaluable experience in engineering, life-support environments, and technological spin-offs,” says Prof. Abebe.
Although Africa is not yet a major player in the modern space race, the continent stands to benefit from numerous opportunities for its scientists, institutions, and growing space sector.
“This renewed interest in space exploration is becoming a catalyst globally, especially for African countries that have historically lagged behind. The African Union launched the African Space Agency last year, a significant milestone. Several African nations are establishing their own space agencies, and the African Astronomical Society encourages students and young researchers to get involved. The Artemis Accords offer access to data generated by these missions — a major opportunity. A few African countries have already joined, although South Africa has not yet, which is surprising given its strong astronomy and space research capacity. This will increasingly benefit African researchers, particularly young people.”
New era
At NWU, the Centre for Space Research is preparing to contribute to this new era. “Our researchers study heliospheric physics - the Sun’s effects on its environment - as well as atmospheric physics, particularly the ionosphere. We also focus on radiation protection, developing materials resistant to solar radiation as humans travel further into space.”
Prof. Abebe believes the possibilities beyond Earth could have profound benefits for humanity. “Exploring beyond our planet has been humanity’s dream for a very long time. Advances in science and technology that make this possible can only be positive. I think it can serve as an inspiring symbol for everyone.”
