As the moon takes center stage in the new space race, the U.S. military is eager to improve its tracking of spacecraft and other objects moving in cislunar space. This area, influenced by the gravitational pull from both Earth and the moon, presents challenges for current tracking systems primarily built for lower Earth orbits.
To close this gap, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has announced plans for a program called Track-Before-Detect (TBD2). This initiative aims to enhance how we detect and monitor objects beyond our conventional tracking capabilities. Experts believe that as commercial and military activities near the moon increase, improved tracking is crucial.
TBD2 will explore using advanced software algorithms combined with optical sensors on spacecraft. This technology could help track faint objects, potentially thousands of miles away, within hours. By placing these sensors at strategic points like Lagrange Point 1—where gravitational forces are balanced—DARPA hopes to efficiently monitor the so-called “Earth-Moon corridor.”
Beyond DARPA, other military entities, including the U.S. Space Force and the Air Force Research Laboratory, are developing technologies for enduring presence and awareness in cislunar space. As efforts to return Americans to the moon intensify, officials warn that the U.S. risks falling behind China in this emerging space race.
In recent discussions, former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine highlighted the urgency, stating that the U.S. may not meet its deadlines against China’s ambitions. With China aiming to land astronauts on the moon by 2030, and NASA targeting mid-2027 for its Artemis 3 mission, the race is on. The outcome could shape international space regulations and resource access for years.
In this high-stakes arena, experts like Mike Gold from Redwire emphasize that the nation that secures the moon first will significantly influence global economic dynamics and national security. Keeping a close watch on cislunar activities could mean the difference between leading the race or falling behind in this pivotal phase of space exploration.
For more on DARPA’s initiatives and their implications, see their official announcement here.
