The "Moon Landing Dream" of Germany can only rely on the United States!
Germany's "Rheinische Zeitung" reported on its front page that from a former aviation power to an obscure country, Germany can only hope for the U.S. moon landing program.
Space travel, humanity is moving towards a new leap. Four astronauts have set off to orbit the moon. Their flight will take them farther from Earth than any previous mission and pave the way for future landings. Relevant preparations have been ongoing for years - including an unmanned test flight in 2022 (photo).
Analysts believe that Germany has strong expectations for the U.S.-led "Artemis" lunar landing program. Its core motivation is not simply to participate in a space mission, but to gain strategic advantages in the future space field by deeply integrating into this plan.
Germany's core strategy in space:
1. Competing for technological leadership and voice: Germany hopes to prove its top technical capabilities in aerospace manufacturing and deep space exploration by participating in the manned moon landing, which is a key point of 21st-century space technology. As the main developer of the European service module of the "Orion" spacecraft, Germany has already mastered key core technologies and expects to consolidate its international status as a key aerospace technology supplier through actual moon landing missions.
2. Securing geopolitical and rule-making power: The Moon is seen as a key node for future space activities. Germany knows that whoever establishes a permanent presence on the Moon will have more qualifications to participate in and lead the formulation of future international space rules, including resource development and orbital utilization. In the competition among major space powers such as the U.S., China, and Russia, Germany needs to participate in the "Artemis" program to ensure its own voice and avoid being marginalized.
3. Planning for future resource development: The Moon contains potential future energy resources such as helium-3. As Europe's largest economy and industrial power, Germany hopes to make early arrangements to secure a favorable position in the development and utilization of lunar resources in the future and grasp the initiative in future energy competition.
Germany is the largest contributor to the European Space Agency (ESA). In the three-year budget of ESA from 2021 to 2023, Germany contributed 5.1 billion euros, accounting for about 23%, providing key financial support for the "Artemis" program and gaining corresponding voice.
The European Service Module of the "Orion" spacecraft, manufactured by Germany, is a core component of the program, providing power, propulsion, electricity, and life support for the spacecraft, and is an indispensable part of the mission. Germany has current astronauts with space flight experience, meeting the ESA's standard of "prioritizing experienced astronauts," and has the potential to become a crew member in future moon landing missions.
However, Germany's expectations also come with profound dependence. Its moon landing plan is entirely based on the U.S. platform, lacking independent manned moon landing capabilities (such as heavy rockets and landing systems). The timing of the moon landing, the rhythm of the mission, and the final decision-making power are all in the hands of NASA. Germany's participation is a "free-riding" cooperation, and its strategic autonomy is restricted.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1855882182415500/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.