Space isn’t all about the ‘race’ – rival superpowers must work together for a better future

Artist's concept of the docked Apollo and Soyuz in 1975. David Meltzer/NASA

In recent years, a new “space race” has intensified between the United States and China. At a campaign rally last weekend, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump invoked this rivalry when declaring the US will “lead the world in space”, echoing Democratic counterpart Vice President Kamala Harris.

Meanwhile, the president of China, Xi Jinping, has said becoming “a space power is our eternal dream”.