Is there anything more thrilling than watching two countries battle hammer and tong to achieve something we all dreamed impossible, until it happens?

Like going to he moon in the 60s (provided, of course, you think they actually went there). 

It's like the science Olympics crossed with geopolitical Hunger Games.

This time it's a bit like last time, but with the US on one team and China/Russia working together on the other. 

They want to install nuclear reactors on the surface of the moon, 400km away. The US wants it done by 2030. China and Russia are aiming for early 2030s. 

The scientists are hoping everybody'll come together and co-operate up there like we do with the ISS. 

But, the politicians have other plans. This is about nationalism, defence and territory. 

Everyone wants to be the first because there are currently no laws or treaties for colonising the moon. It's basically first come, first served. 

And they reckon whoever builds the first reactor for electricity can basically bags an area, and build its base close by. He who gets there first, wins. Basically. 

The moon is quite important to earth, as you know. The seasons, our crops, our ocean, our entire lives a tied to that thing. 

But if you look at it closely, it's already coved in giant craters - so big you can see them from earth. So even if these guys do blow something up, one's one more crater? 

I'm frothing to see this new age space race get underway.

The most interesting question is: what happens if it's not a country that gets there first, but one of those weirdo billionaires and their space toys?

Is there anything more thrilling than watching two countries battle hammer and tong to achieve something we all dreamed impossible, until it happens?
Like going to he moon in the 60s (provided, of course, you think they actually went there).&nbsp;
It's like the science Olympics crossed with geopolitical Hunger Games.
This time it's a bit like last time, but with the US on one team and China/Russia working together on the other.&nbsp;
They want to install nuclear reactors on the surface of the moon, 400km away.&nbsp;The US wants it done by 2030. China and Russia are aiming for early 2030s.&nbsp;
The scientists are hoping everybody'll come together and co-operate up there like we do with the ISS.&nbsp;
But, the politicians have other plans. This is about nationalism, defence and territory.&nbsp;
Everyone wants to be the first because there are currently no laws or treaties for colonising the moon. It's basically first come, first served.&nbsp;
And they reckon whoever builds the first reactor for electricity can basically bags an area, and build its base close by.&nbsp;He who gets there first, wins. Basically.&nbsp;
The moon is quite important to earth, as you know. The seasons, our crops, our ocean, our entire lives a tied to that thing.&nbsp;
But if you look at it closely, it's already coved in giant craters - so big you can see them from earth.&nbsp;So even if these guys do blow something up, one's one more crater?&nbsp;
I'm frothing to see this new age space race get underway.
The most interesting question is: what happens if it's not a country that gets there first, but one of those weirdo billionaires and their space toys?

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Ryan Bridge: There's a new space race kicking off - I'm here for it

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7d4c0332-a021-4a3a-854a-b331012918af/transcript