The space agency NASA has raised concerns that China may be concealing secret military activities within its civilian space programs, potentially aiming to dominate parts of the moon. During a budget hearing before the House Appropriations Committee, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed the belief that China’s space program is closely tied to its military ambitions, sparking a competitive race between nations.
Nelson highlighted China’s secretive nature and rapid advancements in space technology, warning of potential territorial claims on the moon. He urged for a peaceful approach to space exploration, emphasizing the importance of utilizing research for peaceful purposes.
While most countries involved in space exploration have signed agreements like the Artemis Accords, outlining guidelines for international cooperation, China and Russia have not joined. The United States is planning a manned moon landing in 2026 with the Artemis 3 mission, while China aims for a manned lunar mission by 2030 with plans for a permanent lunar base.
The upcoming space race echoes the historical competition between the US and Russia during the cold war, culminating in the US moon landing in 1969. The current focus is on the lunar south pole, which holds potential resources for future missions. Unmanned missions by various countries have already achieved significant milestones on the lunar surface.
Despite denials from the Chinese Communist Party, concerns persist about China’s intentions in space. CEO Tory Bruno of United Launch Alliance has emphasized the CCP’s significant investments in space weapons and anti-satellite capabilities, signaling a new era of great power competition in space.
Having acquired this technology, they have rapidly expanded their spacecraft fleet from just a few dozen to nearly 700 in orbit within a short span of time.
Despite this advancement, the rocket scientist remains optimistic about the United States’ ability to counter the CCP’s space ambitions.
He pointed out that while the CCP’s space infrastructure is vast, it is inefficient, expensive, and fragile, especially in the face of prolonged economic stress or a halt in western investments, which amount to almost half a trillion dollars annually into China’s economy. Such circumstances could potentially undermine their current capabilities.
Therefore, there are opportunities for the United States to leverage its economy, allies, and whole-of-government approach to address this challenge.
