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Now Reading:Eyes on the Prize

Analysis

Eyes on the Prize

PublishedJuly 13, 2020

By Spencer Kaplan

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

The Strategic Implications of Cislunar Space and the Moon

Strategic interest in cislunar space and the Moon is growing as launch capabilities and commercial ventures proliferate. Between the Moon’s vast reserves of civilization-changing resources and potential as a staging ground for missions to Mars and beyond, the lunar and cislunar domains may become prime targets for national security investment in the 21st century.

The Moon has three fundamental types of value: prestige, scientific, and strategic. This analysis evaluates the strategic value of cislunar space and the Moon and reasons nations may pursue these destinations as targets and priorities for national security.

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