The Artemis II mission is drawing renewed focus to the historic competition in space between the United States and China. This article explains the competing lunar goals and ambitions of the two global powers.

It has been more than 50 years since humans last ventured this close to the Moon. Now, the Artemis II mission is refocusing attention on the space race between the United States and China. Camille Knight explains the two superpowers’ competing lunar ambitions.