We’re in the midst of a new space race. A week and a half ago, Russia and India were in a neck-and-neck race to reach the moon.Then Russia’s spacecraft crashed. Four days later, in a moment that has been celebrated worldwide, India’s craft, successfully landed on the moon. Or, as it’s now being called, “the hottest real estate in the solar system”.

But why are so many countries now racing towards the moon? After all, it’s been 54 years since NASA landed a man on the dusty lunar surface. And these latest missions by Russia and India were unmanned.

Today, international and political editor, Peter Hartcher, on the somewhat “juvenile” political rivalries that are playing out in space. And how the moon landings are helping to upend the geopolitical order.

Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.