We have entered another space race with China, this time to the moon.
U.S. Congressional Report
A bipartisan committee in the U.S. House of Representatives has released a recent report on economic and technological competition between the United States and China, providing nearly 150 recommendations to “reset” the relationship between the two countries.
The report came after a year-long study of the competition between the two countries since China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001.
The report states that “the Chinese Communist Party has conducted a decades-long economic assault against the United States and its allies under the guise of strategically separating the People’s Republic of China from the global economy, making the People’s Republic of China less dependent on the United States in critical sectors, while increasing U.S. dependence on (China).”
This initiative was a bipartisan effort led by U.S. House Representatives Mike Gallagher (Republican from Wisconsin) and Rajah Krishnamoorthi (Democrat from Illinois). In light of the concerns raised in the report, it offers recommendations that allow the United States to “chart a new course that puts its national security, economic security, and values” at the forefront of its relationship with China.
Lagrange Points
The recommendations cover a wide range of areas, but one proposal in the field of space was particularly notable. It pertains to locations where gravity is relatively stable, known as Lagrange points. All roads lead to L2.
Lagrange points are positions in the Earth-Moon system where the gravitational forces are nearly balanced between the two bodies.
Importance of L1 and L2 Points
The first and second points, L1 and L2, are of particular importance due to their proximity to the moon. Although they are not completely gravitationally stable, a spacecraft can orbit in a “halo” around these locations and maintain its position with minimal fuel.
“L2 is particularly important due to its view of the far side of the moon,” said Duffy. “We cannot see that from Earth, and China is on its way there.”
She refers to the Queqiao satellite, which China launched into a halo orbit around L2 five years ago. It facilitated communications from a landing on the far side of the moon. This spacecraft, Chang’e 4, was the first to successfully land on the far side of the moon. So, China has a clear advantage in this area and plans to enhance it.
Duffy and her colleague at Canyon Consulting, James Lake, wrote about the strategic importance of China’s efforts at L2 in the Space Forces magazine two years ago. “China’s successful mission to the far side of the moon has raised the greatest concern from a military perspective due to the lack of monitoring capabilities on the far side of the moon,” they wrote. Monitoring the moon with a watchful eye.
Importance of L4 and L5 Points
The other two Lagrange points, L4 and L5, are also important. They are points 60 degrees ahead of and behind the moon in its 360-degree orbit around the Earth, and they are stable. Furthermore, they have strategic value for location, navigation, and timing services in lunar space as they are farther out and can view the system as a whole.
The congressional report does not provide detailed information on the types of assets that the United States and its allies should station at Lagrange points. However, it seems clear that the first step would be to provide satellites that offer better awareness to monitor what China and other actors are doing in lunar space.
“We have entered another race to the moon, this time with China,” Duffy said. “We want to be first because we want to set the standards.”
Note: This article has been clarified to remove confusion regarding the Lagrange points between the Earth and the Sun and the Lagrange points between the Earth and the Moon.
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