Introduction: Humanity at the Crossroads of Cosmic Hegemony
We stand at one of the most pivotal moments in human history—the transition from terrestrial to extraterrestrial dominance. What appears to be scientific exploration and international cooperation in space conceals the greatest geopolitical competition of the 21st century: the battle for space supremacy.
The Artemis Program, often portrayed as humanity's return to the Moon, represents something far more profound—a desperate American attempt to maintain hegemonic control as China and Russia construct an alternative world order that extends beyond Earth's atmosphere.
This analysis examines the Artemis Program not merely as a space exploration initiative, but as the manifestation of America's spiritual crisis, China's systematic challenge to the existing order, and the emerging resource war that will determine energy dominance for the next century.
Chapter I: The Evolution of Supremacy - From Sea to Space
Historical Pattern of Hegemonic Transition
Throughout history, global hegemony has been determined by whoever controls the "higher layer" of strategic domains. The British Empire dominated through naval supremacy, America achieved hegemony by mastering air power during World War II, and now we witness the emergence of competition for space supremacy.
Space supremacy encompasses far more than military dominance in orbit. It represents comprehensive control over:
- Orbital Infrastructure Dominance: Communication satellites, GPS networks, reconnaissance systems
- Extraterrestrial Resource Access: Lunar Helium-3, asteroid mineral wealth
- Off-World Base Construction Capability: Lunar settlements, Mars forward bases
- Space Technology Standard Setting: Rules governing next-generation space industries
The nation that secures space supremacy in the 2020s will likely determine the world order of the 22nd century.
The Coming "Sputnik Shock 2.0"
The 1957 Sputnik launch fundamentally shook America's spiritual foundation. It wasn't merely a technological defeat—it challenged America's entire worldview. Today, we stand on the brink of a new "Sputnik Shock."
China's Chang'e-6 mission successfully returned samples from the Moon's far side—a feat neither America nor Russia has accomplished. Their planned crewed lunar landing in the 2030s represents a strategic challenge that surpasses the Soviet threat of the 1960s. This time, it's not about prestige alone—it's about tangible energy dominance through lunar resources.
Chapter II: America's Artemis Paradox - Technological Superiority vs Strategic Fragmentation
Political Division Undermining Strategic Coherence
The Artemis Program exemplifies America's structural contradictions. While NASA pursues the ambitious goal of lunar return, the program suffers from budget uncertainty and political chaos that would be inconceivable in China's systematic approach.
The Trump administration's 2025 budget confusion reveals the depth of strategic incoherence:
- Initial proposal: 24% NASA budget cut ($6 billion reduction)
- Subsequent reversal: $10 billion restoration through the "One Big Beautiful Bill"
- Elon Musk's declaration: "The Moon is a distraction; we should go straight to Mars"
- Congressional Republican resistance to SLS (Space Launch System) cancellation
This policy inconsistency demonstrates America's loss of long-term strategic thinking. A space program subject to four-year political cycles cannot compete with China's 50-year vision.
The Fragmentation of American Space Power
Ironically, while America possesses superior individual technologies, it lacks the strategic integration capability that China demonstrates. SpaceX's reusable rocket technology, Blue Origin's lunar landing systems, and NASA's deep space exploration capabilities represent world-leading innovations.
However, these technological advantages remain unintegrated within a coherent national strategy. Elon Musk focuses on Mars colonization, Jeff Bezos envisions space industrialization, and NASA prioritizes scientific exploration. Such dispersed efforts cannot match China's centralized strategic focus.
Chapter III: The Sino-Russian Space Alliance - Building an Alternative World Order
The International Lunar Research Station (ILRS): Belt and Road in Space
The International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project, jointly led by China and Russia, represents the space extension of China's Belt and Road Initiative. Since the 2021 bilateral agreement, 17 nations have committed to participation, creating a clear alternative to the US-led Artemis Accords (56 participating nations).
Strategic significance of ILRS:
- Permanent lunar base by 2036 with continuous human presence
- Nuclear power plant providing stable energy supply (installation planned 2033-2035)
- Helium-3 mining demonstration projects in the South Polar region
- Earth-Mars transit hub functionality
Particularly noteworthy is China's May 2025 agreement with Russia for lunar nuclear power plant construction. This represents revolutionary infrastructure enabling large-scale industrial activities on the Moon.
China's Long-Term Vision: Planning 50 Years Ahead
China's lunar strategy follows a methodical, phase-based development plan:
Phase 1 (2024-2028): Chang'e-6, 7, 8 technology demonstrations Phase 2 (2028-2035): Robotic lunar base construction and nuclear power infrastructure Phase 3 (2030-2040): Crewed lunar landing and full-scale resource extraction Phase 4 (2040+): Lunar industrial base and Earth resource transportation
This plan's defining characteristics are consistency unaffected by leadership changes and systematic technology accumulation that builds toward each subsequent phase.
Chapter IV: Helium-3 and the New Age of Energy Hegemony
Fusion Technology Breakthrough and Lunar Resource Value
The years 2024-2025 mark what many call the "commercial fusion renaissance." Small modular fusion technology has achieved dramatic progress. Helion Energy aims for net positive energy output in 2024, while TAE Technologies' Copernicus targets demonstration by late 2025. Private investment has exceeded $7.1 billion across 45 companies competing for commercialization.
This technological revolution dramatically increases the strategic value of lunar Helium-3:
Helium-3 Economic Value:
- Lunar reserves: Approximately 1.1 million tons
- Economic value: Roughly $1.5 quadrillion
- 25 tons could power the United States for one year
- Value: Approximately $3 billion per ton
Extraction Technical Challenges:
- 150 tons of lunar soil required to extract 1 gram of Helium-3
- Large-scale mining equipment and stable power supply necessary
- Efficient Earth transportation system construction
China's discovery of Changesite-(Y), a new lunar mineral containing Helium-3, wasn't coincidental—it represents the fruits of systematic resource exploration.
Energy Revolution Timeline
The current situation resembles a "Gold Rush 2.0." The convergence of fusion technology commercialization (2025-2030) with the beginning of serious lunar resource extraction (2030s) will determine energy hegemony.
In this competition, whichever nation establishes lunar outposts by the 2030s will control energy leadership for the following 50 years. China's ILRS completion target (2036) strategically aligns with this critical timeline.
Chapter V: America's Spiritual Crisis and Pathways to Revival
Escaping the Possession of Resentment
Contemporary America suffers from possession by collective resentment emanating from the Rust Belt, the South, and border regions—economic anxiety and cultural dissatisfaction manifesting as political rage. The Trump phenomenon represents the political expression of this collective grievance.
The "Mexican border wall" symbolizes inward-looking, defensive thinking that contradicts America's traditional frontier spirit. Nostalgia for past glory (Make America Great Again) diminishes future-oriented ambition, causing America to fall behind China's long-term strategy.
Kennedy's Legacy: Space Development as Challenge to Difficulty
President Kennedy's 1961 declaration of lunar landing "within the decade" represented perfect understanding of American spiritual DNA. "We choose to go to the Moon not because it is easy, but because it is hard"—these words clearly demonstrated that embracing difficult challenges defines American identity.
America today needs offensive future orientation, not defensive past protection. Lunar base construction, Mars colonization, and fusion energy development—these cool missions hold the key to transforming resentment into creative energy.
Entertainment-Technology Fusion Strategy
America's true strength lies in its ability to fuse entertainment with technology. Just as Michael Jackson's 1993 Super Bowl performance captivated 1.3 billion viewers worldwide, America possesses the power to capture global imagination.
Applying this power to space development could counter China's systematic strategy. For example, while a Taylor Swift lunar concert might seem fantastical, it would actually provide strategic benefits:
- Audience of 5 billion viewers worldwide
- National interest stimulation for space development
- Economic justification for lunar infrastructure development
- Cultural superiority over China's sterile industrial bases
Chapter VI: Japan's Strategic Choice and Escape from "Customer Syndrome"
Alliance Responsibilities and Opportunities
Japan currently maintains a "customer" position in the new space war. While expressing participation in the US-led Artemis Program, Japan has yet to provide unique strategic vision or core technologies.
However, Japan possesses distinctive strengths:
- Precision robotics technology: Unmanned lunar work systems
- Materials science: Extreme environment material development
- Small satellite technology: Constellation construction capability
- Quality control systems: Long-term infrastructure reliability
Strategic utilization of these technologies could elevate Japan from mere "participant" to "indispensable partner."
Awakening from the "Frog in the Well" Syndrome
The greatest danger lies in most Japanese failing to understand American elite capabilities. Surface-level understanding such as "Americans are lazier than Japanese" or "They win only through material superiority" prevents appropriate strategy formation.
As Shohei Ohtani demonstrated, true competitors accurately assess rival strengths before launching maximum-level challenges. Japan must correctly understand American structural advantages before establishing its unique position.
Chapter VII: Predictions for the Space Supremacy Battle
2025-2030: The Decisive Five Years
The next five years will prove decisive for space supremacy. Major milestones include:
2025:
- TAE Technologies Copernicus fusion demonstration
- China Chang'e-7 lunar south pole exploration
2026:
- Artemis II crewed lunar orbit mission (scheduled)
- Acceleration of small modular fusion commercialization
2027:
- Artemis III lunar landing (scheduled)
- Gateway lunar orbital station construction begins
2028-2030:
- China Chang'e-8 lunar base construction technology demonstration
- ILRS Phase 1 infrastructure construction
- Small modular fusion power plant implementation
Scenario Analysis: Three Possibilities
Scenario 1: Successful American Comeback (30% probability) Cultural events like Taylor Swift's lunar concert dramatically increase national space interest, achieving bipartisan major space budget increases. Technology integration among SpaceX, Blue Origin, and NASA establishes lunar dominance starting with Artemis III in 2027.
Scenario 2: Sino-Russian Lunar Dominance (50% probability) American political chaos and budget instability continue while China completes lunar bases in the early 2030s as planned. Nuclear power infrastructure enables large-scale Helium-3 extraction, establishing energy hegemony in the 2040s.
Scenario 3: Competitive Balance (20% probability) Both camps maintain equivalent capabilities, dividing the lunar South Pole region (rich in water and Helium-3 resources). Continuous competition over technology standards and resource extraction rights persists.
Conclusion: No Space Hegemony Without Spiritual Awakening
The essence of the new space war is neither technological nor economic competition. It's a contest of each nation's spiritual energy direction and intensity.
China, based on party-state system integration and 50-year planning confidence, pursues lunar hegemony with unified national will. America, despite possessing world-leading individual technologies, cannot integrate this power due to political division and short-term thinking.
For America's true revival, escape from resentment possession and recovery of original frontier spirit is essential. This requires revival of Kennedy-esque values of "choosing challenge because it's difficult" and utilization of America's unique cultural superiority in entertainment-technology fusion.
For Japan, remaining in a "customer" position during this historical transition is unacceptable. By leveraging unique technological strengths and building strategic partnerships, Japan must secure an important position in the new space order.
The battle for space supremacy has already begun. Victory will be determined not only by technological capabilities or financial resources, but by unwavering vision for the future and the spiritual will to realize it. We are witnessing the greatest hegemonic transition in human history.
About the Author: Ray Kissyou (Chief Researcher & Spiritual Analyst, Institute of Thought Engineering) Employs a unique research methodology combining international political analysis with spiritual insight to interpret contemporary geopolitical shifts. Particularly renowned for analyzing the values and motivations of global elite classes.
References & Data Sources:
- NASA Artemis Program Official Documentation
- China National Space Administration (CNSA) Mission Reports
- International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) Joint Declaration
- Fusion Industry Association Report 2025
- U.S. Geological Survey Helium-3 Resource Assessment
