The Moon Page #7

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a man into orbit around the moon,

despite 18 attempts

to make the technology work.

They hope that the cash injection

from the rich Westerners

will help them

do better this time.

Everything in life is a risk.

There's various degrees.

The Soyuz was designed

for lunar orbit,

so it's certainly capable

of doing it.

The Russians have

a great space programme -

great instruction,

great cosmonauts -

so I would have

a lot of confidence.

This private-sector mission has a fighting chance of

at least putting a person into orbit around the moon.

But even they could be overtaken

by a new dark horse.

A late entry in the new race

to the moon - China.

Its economy is booming.

It's a global superpower.

And now it's turning

its attention to space.

In 2003,

the Chinese put a man in space

and brought him safely

back to Earth.

In 2005, they did it again.

Now they say they want to put

a man on the moon.

Few would bet against them.

With China coming up, um...

we've had astronauts,

and cosmonauts in Russia,

and now taikonauts in China.

Now, they've had two orbits of the

Earth and, you know, that's nice.

And people say,

"Well, it's primitive technology,".

But you wait ten years and see where

those people are with space flight.

Whoever wins the race to get back

to the moon, there's little doubt

that our most ancient love affair

is back on.

In many ways, it's a relationship

that's finally grown up.

We've been through infatuation

and courtship.

We've had a bit of a rocky patch.

Now, the relationship has emerged

stronger than ever.

And this time, it looks like

we're in for the long haul.

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