The new space race: NASA fears US is locked in battle for the moon with China
Brady Knox
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The head of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration expressed concern over China’s space program development, saying that the United States is locked in a new space race.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson warned in an interview with Politico that China’s rapidly advancing capabilities in space could see it seize vital parts of the moon, filled with natural resources, and keep the U.S. out.
āIt is a fact: weāre in a space race,ā Nelson told the outlet. āAnd it is true that we better watch out that they donāt get to a place on the moon under the guise of scientific research. And it is not beyond the realm of possibility that they say, āKeep out, weāre here, this is our territory.āā
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Nelson and other U.S. space agency figures are growing increasingly worried that with its rapid technological progress, China may actually overtake the U.S. in space-faring capabilities.
āItās entirely possible they could catch up and surpass us, absolutely,ā Space Force Lt. Gen. Nina ArmagnoĀ said last month, according to Reuters. āThe progress theyāve made has been stunning ā stunningly fast.ā
In recent years, China has landed robotic probes on the moon to collect samples, including a historical first when it landed a probe on the far side of the moon. It also recently launched its own independent space station. Alongside these accomplishments come even more ambitious goals, such as plans to land taikonauts on the moon within the decade.
Aside from the scientific dimension, the new space race is every bit as political as its predecessor, between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
āOn one level, it is a political competition to show whose system works better,ā Terry Virts, a former commander of the International Space Station and Space Shuttle, told Politico. āWhat they really want is respect as the worldās top country. They want to be the dominant power on Earth, so going to the moon is a way to show their system is working. If they beat us back to the moon, it shows they are better than us.ā
Political concerns could escalate into security concerns, however, he warned.
āThere is potentially mischief China can do on the moon,ā he added. āIf they set up infrastructure there, they could potentially deny communications, for example. Having them there doesnāt make things easier. There is real concern about Chinese meddling.ā
China denies all accusations of malicious intent, accusing the U.S. of scaremongering.
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āOuter space is not a wrestling ground,ā Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said in a statement to Politico. āThe exploration and peaceful uses of outer space is humanityās common endeavor and should benefit all. China always advocates the peaceful use of outer space, opposes the weaponization of and arms race in outer space, and works actively toward building a community with a shared future for mankind in the space domain.ā