The United States has just returned to the Moon for the first time in 50 years. But they are not the only country in the world with their sights set on space exploration. Why are countries like India, China, Japan and Saudi Arabia trying to complete their own lunar landings? Katya Adler speaks with Dr Kevin Fong, presenter of the BBC podcast 13 Minutes to the Moon and Jonathan Amos the BBC’s science correspondent.

The Global Story brings trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We need you to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email ideas and thoughts to theglobalstory@bbc.com. You can also message or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Today’s podcast was made by Alice Aylett Roberts and Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Episode 123: Shawn Williams & Jeff Boriss