〰️
New Documentary Film
〰️ New Documentary Film
ABOUT ASTROPOLITICS
In the 20th century, the United States and the Soviet Union, the two remaining superpowers on Earth at the time, waged a Cold War for more than 40 years in which economic, political and military tactics tested the boundaries of warfare without ever coming into direct conflict. Today, the world is increasingly divided into a new bipolar international system led by China and the United States in domains no longer restricted to land, sea, air and cyberspace. From low earth orbit to the lunar surface, Beijing, Washington and a host of others are racing to gain advantages in space that will bolster their influence on Earth. The central question is whether this race will end in governments, companies and individuals collectively leveraging opportunities for collaboration to benefit of all humankind, or pursuing a zero-sum game that inevitably leads to conflict.
Humanity’s track record thus far doesn’t inspire much hope. Our history is plagued by a continuous cycle of exploration of new land, exploitation of its resources, and ultimately conflict to control those assets. But this project is focused on breaking old habits, and redefining pathways for geopolitical cooperation, economic growth, scientific breakthroughs, and diplomatic achievements in space that have the potential to reshape how we can work together on Earth.
This microsite, powered by the Bertelsmann Foundation, will offer users a range of multimedia content from infographics to expert interviews, and solutions-oriented briefings to documentary films, to spark a new way of thinking about space, the world and our place in it.
RANGE Forecasting
Documentary Films
Now Out! The Stars Over Broken Hill
The new space race is underway. But unlike the past, it’s not just superpowers competing—governments and private companies alike are pushing the boundaries of exploration from low-Earth orbit to the Moon. As humanity ventures further into space, we would do well to remember the lessons of our own history on Earth.
The Stars Over Broken Hill draws a powerful connection between past exploration on Earth and our future in space. Human history has often followed cycles of discovery, exploitation, and conflict. This documentary offers a cautionary reminder—and a hopeful path forward—as we expand beyond our planet.
Set against the Australian outback, the film weaves together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, the journey of rocks from “Silver City” to a rocket, and the unlikely path of a miner who became a NASA planetary scientist, offering a unique perspective on humanity’s place in the universe.
Infographics
Milestones to the Moon
China has moved quickly to secure its position as global space power. NASA first put a man in space over six decades ago. China accomplished the same at the dawn of the 21st century. Today, both nations are battling to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon.
NASA may have a running lead, but China has proven its scientific and technological prowess in recent years. This includes being the first national to land a rover on and return samples from the far side of the Moon. China is also the second country to land an operational rover on Mars and only one to do so on the first try.