The New Space Race: robots on the Moon and an old human ambition
By Patricia Vara
More than half a century after the Apollo missions, the Moon is once again at the center of global technological and geopolitical ambition. NASA’s recent Artemis II mission has marked a turning point: for the first time in decades, astronauts have flown over the far side of the Moon. This milestone is not just a scientific achievement. It reflects a new space race in which traditional powers like the United States, new players like China, and, increasingly, the private sector coexist.
This is the first step toward the ultimate goal of establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon, but before that, advanced robots will be responsible for preparing the ground. This is not a new approach: more than a decade ago, rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance demonstrated their ability to operate autonomously in extreme environments on Mars. On the Moon, these systems will play an even more critical role, from building infrastructure to extracting resources and maintaining equipment. Automation will be essential, and in practice, robots will not only accompany human exploration but make it possible.
Although today we talk about lunar robots and permanent bases, the idea of creating machines that work for humankind predates the space age. In Greek mythology, the god Hephaestus imagined metal automatons assisting him in his forge. Centuries later, during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, mechanical devices capable of imitating human or animal movements proliferated. Inventors like Leonardo da Vinci designed artifacts that are now considered precursors to robotics. This impulse found a theoretical basis in the 20th century with figures like Alan Turing, whose work on computing laid the foundations for artificial intelligence.
In a way, the robots we are now planning for the Moon are not a break from the past, but rather the culmination of a very old dream: to delegate the exploration of the unknown to machines. These will be the true pioneers of space: autonomous rovers, robotic arms, and 3D printing technologies capable of using lunar regolith as a building material are being developed. Added to this is artificial intelligence, which will allow these machines to operate with greater autonomy, especially in areas without direct communication with Earth.
The need to design systems capable of functioning in extreme conditions is accelerating the development of robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced materials. These innovations are not limited to the space sector: they find direct applications in areas such as energy, mining, and infrastructure. This presents a significant opportunity. Space exploration acts as a catalyst for technologies with high potential for transfer to the terrestrial economy, shaping a new industrial frontier.
In this context, the Moon ceases to be merely a scientific objective and becomes a platform with economic potential, as it has valuable resources such as ice at the lunar poles, certain metals, and even the renowned helium-3. The major obstacle is the cost and logistics of bringing them to Earth. Launching material from the lunar surface, transporting it, and re-entering Earth’s atmosphere remains extremely expensive and technically complex. Therefore, beyond resources, in the short and medium term, the true economic impact will lie in the technologies developed for operating in space.
Unlike the 20th century, the current scenario combines public investment, private innovation, and strategic competition. Companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are redefining the role of the private sector, while governments are promoting programs to secure their position in this new frontier.
It is a decisive moment, and the Artemis II mission symbolizes the beginning of this new era. Unlike in the past, the goal is no longer just to arrive, but to stay.
In this process, robots will be the first to pave the way, continuing an aspiration that has accompanied humankind for centuries.
The question is no longer simply who will lead this new space race, but also who will be able to anticipate and capitalize on the technological and economic opportunities that will arise around it.