The space race is a term that refers to the competition among nations for achievements in space exploration. It was originally used to describe the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, which culminated in the first human landing on the Moon in 1969 by the US Apollo 11 mission.

However, the space race is not over. In fact, it has become more diverse and complex in the 2020s, as more countries and private companies join the quest for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and geopolitical influence in outer space. Some of the major players and events in the current space race are:

- **United States**: The US remains a dominant force in space exploration, with a rich history of achievements and innovations. The US is leading the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon by 2024 and establish a sustainable presence there by 2028. The US also operates the International Space Station (ISS) with its international partners, and has sent several successful missions to Mars, including the Perseverance rover and the Ingenuity helicopter in 2021. The US also collaborates with private companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin, which are developing reusable rockets and spacecraft for commercial and government customers.
- **China**: China has emerged as a formidable space power, with ambitious plans to build its own space station, send humans to the Moon and Mars, and explore the asteroids and other planets. In 2020, China became the third country to return lunar samples to Earth after the US and the Soviet Union, using its Chang'e 5 mission. In 2021, China launched the core module of its Tiangong space station and sent three taikonauts to live there for three months. China also landed its Zhurong rover on Mars in 2021, becoming the second country to do so after the US.
- **India**: India has made significant strides in space technology and exploration, especially in terms of cost-effectiveness and innovation. India launched its first lunar orbiter, Chandrayaan-1, in 2008, and its first Mars orbiter, Mangalyaan, in 2013. In 2019, India attempted to land its Chandrayaan-2 mission on the Moon's south pole, but failed at the last moment due to a technical glitch. India plans to launch its first manned space mission, Gaganyaan, by 2022, as well as its third lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3.
- **Others**: Many other countries and regions have also contributed to the advancement of space science and exploration. For example, Japan has launched several missions to study asteroids, such as Hayabusa and Hayabusa2. The European Space Agency (ESA) has participated in various cooperative projects with NASA and other agencies, such as the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the ExoMars rover. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) sent its first interplanetary probe, Hope, to orbit Mars in 2021.

The impact of the current space race on international relations and global politics is multifaceted and dynamic. On one hand, space exploration can foster cooperation and dialogue among nations with common interests and goals. For example, the ISS is a symbol of peaceful collaboration among different countries and cultures. Space exploration can also inspire scientific curiosity and public engagement across borders and generations. On the other hand, space exploration can also create tensions and conflicts among nations with competing agendas and interests. For example, some countries may view space as a domain for military expansion or domination. Space exploration can also raise ethical and legal issues regarding resource exploitation, environmental protection, and human rights.

To put it briefly, the current space race is a complex phenomenon that reflects both the opportunities and challenges of humanity's quest for knowledge and advancement in outer space. It involves multiple actors with diverse motivations and capabilities. It has both positive and negative implications for international relations and global politics. It is likely to continue and intensify in the coming years as new technologies emerge and new discoveries are made.
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