A competition is intensifying between SpaceX and Blue Origin to develop a lunar lander for NASA, with both companies aiming for readiness by 2027, as reported during a CBC news broadcast. Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin are vying for the contract, which would provide the craft for transporting astronauts to and from the moon’s surface.

Canadian space industry researcher Kevin Olson noted that the competition is less about being first and more about establishing a long-term presence on the moon, with NASA collaborating with multiple international partners, including Canada. Dean Chang, an expert on Chinese space policy, emphasized the strategic importance of securing a location on the moon, particularly the lunar South Pole, rich in water resources. Chang also highlighted China’s long-term commitment to space exploration, spanning three decades, contrasting it with the US’s more fragmented approach.

Alongside the space race, the CBC broadcast focused on the possibility of a US military operation targeting Karg Island, Iran. The island is crucial to Iran’s oil exports, handling approximately 90% of its oil shipments. According to the broadcast, former President Trump has suggested seizing the island, which generates 100% of Iran’s oil revenue.

The broadcast detailed the significant challenges a US military operation would face. Karg Island is heavily defended, and Iran has invested in defenses specifically designed to repel attacks. The island’s location near the Iranian mainland and the presence of sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz pose substantial risks. Experts interviewed during the program questioned the strategic value of capturing the island, citing the potential for high casualties – potentially in the dozens or hundreds – and limited impact on restoring oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the broadcast, Iran has been preparing for a potential attack for some time, stockpiling drones and anti-tank weaponry on and around the island. The shallow waters surrounding the mainland present a challenge for large oil tankers, making Karg Island uniquely suited for oil export. Even destroying the island’s oil infrastructure, the broadcast noted, could be seen as a provocation by Iran, potentially leading to retaliatory attacks against US allies in the region. Trump reportedly ordered a strike on Karg Island weeks into the conflict, obliterating military targets but refraining from destroying oil infrastructure, warning that he would reconsider if Iran interfered with shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.