Multiple lunar missions are being planned: these include crewed and uncrewed missions on both the lunar surface and the area near the Moon, commonly referred to as “cislunar space.” There is considerable interest in lunar resources such as ice deposits, which could make hydrogen and oxygen available for missions, including possibly providing rocket fuel. But the fact that these resources are not infinite has pre-emptively created a scarcity-driven mindset among some stakeholders and the perceived need to seize a competitive advantage. This scenario raises concerns about coordination in the face of potential friction, in particular between states that already have difficult relations.
