The space race between the world’s two largest powers, China and the United States, has begun. Both countries are at the forefront of efforts to search for water ice on the Moon.
China has named its mission Chang’e 7, and the United States has named its mission Artemis II. Millions of years ago, the Moon’s surface was considered to be entirely dry.
There was no concept of water. What happened is that Chang’e 7 and Artemis II are now moving towards the south pole to search for water ice on the Moon. The new digital technology that China keeps sending to the Moon for observation has found that the Moon’s south pole has never been exposed to the Sun’s heat.
That part has been cold for centuries. The water vapor emanating from it has confirmed the presence of ice and Helium-3 beneath the craters. These resources can be used as oxygen and hydrogen. Artemis II has landed teams for this operation, while Chang’e is conducting it via robots.
China Chang’e 7 vs NASA Artemis II
2026, China’s space agency, Chang’e 7, and the US space agency, NASA, are both searching for water ice, but internally, their goals are not the same. The way the two space agencies search for ice is different.
On the surface, China has very few allies, but these countries are experts in robotics. While the US has many allies, their experience in space technology is very limited.
Some important techniques are listed below to clarify the difference between Chang’e 7 and NASA’s missions.
| Techniques | Chang’e 7 | Artemis ll |
| primary Goal | Water Ice | Settling humans on the moon |
| Type of mission | Robotics | Human teams |
| Landing | The lunar lander will land on the southern slopes. | Will only orbit the moon |
| Number of Allies | 7 to 8 | Above 61 |
Importance of Moon Water Ice
The ice water (H2O) on the Moon will be used not only for drinking but also as a source of hydrogen and oxygen, and as fuel for vehicles. In addition to NASA and Artemis II, countries such as India and Japan plan to establish habitats on the Moon. Having ample water and oxygen is very important for survival on the Moon. Because the distance from the Earth to the Moon is 238,855 miles, it is very difficult to deliver large amounts of water to such a height. If NASA’s Artemis II mission to the Moon is successful, rockets on the Moon will not have to return to the ground repeatedly for refueling.
The Biggest Benefits of Water Ice on the Moon
- Water ice on the Moon is crucial to human survival. The human population on Earth is very high. Most of the population is not living a good life. It is very important to build a new world on the Moon for a better life for such people. Food and water are important requirements for life on the Moon. Crops and fruits can be grown on the Moon with water ice.
- Fuel can be made by breaking down water (H2O) molecules. This fuel can be used not only on the Moon but also on Earth. Finding water on the Moon means discovering reserves of gasoline.
- Gasoline storage on the Moon would reduce the costs of travel to other planets. Sending rockets from Earth to other planets requires a lot of fuel and costs. If rockets were sent from the Moon with fuel and water, millions of dollars would be saved.
Who will Determine the Order of Space in the Next 100 Years?
According to the “Outer Space Treaty“, no powerful country or organization can gain control over the moon. Looking at the countries that are making progress day by day in today’s space operations and technology.
It has been predicted that the United States or China will establish their ownership over the moon in the next 100 years. These two countries will not own it alone; their allies will also gain control of the moon.
Apart from countries, various organizations within these countries, such as NASA Artemis, SpaceX, CNSA, ISRO, and ESA, can also gain control over space if they continue to advance their space technology.
Unlike the United States, China is considered a country that produces more digital technology and rockets.
Example
China sends robots to investigate and discover resources in space, while the United States mostly sends human teams.
In this sense, the chances of China and its allies gaining control over space are high.
Which Countries are Quietly Participating in the Space Race in 2026
In 2026, in addition to China and the United States, many other countries are developing rockets, robots, and digital technologies to explore lunar reserves. These countries have not yet announced their intention to reach the Moon, but they are conducting space missions as allies of China and the United States.
Privately, the space agencies of these countries are working hard to build space technologies to make their country famous. In the coming years, these countries will emerge as huge space technology giants.
The list below highlights some special countries quietly participating in the space race.
| Country | Space Agency | Space Activities in 2026 |
| Japan | JAXA | Rocket preparation and research of other planets |
| Australia | ASA | More planetary and satellite digital technology |
| Turkey | TUA | National Spaceport and preparations for stepping on the moon |
| South Korea | KASA | Preparing to send robotic landing technology to the moon |
| UAE | MBRSC | International partnership and preparing digital technology for space missions |
| India | ISRO | Allies in the ice water mission with the US and the construction of rockets |
Conclusion
America and China are fighting a war on Earth, and in the space race, both countries are on opposing missions. Both countries are searching for water ice in different ways. Why is water ice so important, and what will this water be used for? Will the great world power, America, establish its rule on the moon in the next 100 years, or will the technology-expert China? Read the article to know the answers to these questions. I hope you will get all the information about the biggest space conflict of 2026.