NASA has expressed concerns about China’s advancing space program. The head of the American agency, Bill Nelson, accused Beijing of increasing its space capabilities and disguising a military program as a civilian one. He stated that China has made significant progress in the last decade, but their activities are shrouded in secrecy, leading to suspicions that their so-called civilian space program is actually military in nature.
Nelson emphasized the need for China to understand that space should be used for peaceful purposes, but he expressed doubt that China has demonstrated this intention. He highlighted the competitive nature of the space race, stating that the United States must succeed in landing on the Moon before China to avoid potential territorial claims.
During a budget request hearing, Nelson warned against underestimating China’s investments in space and stressed the importance of maintaining American leadership in space exploration. He acknowledged China’s significant financial commitments to its space program and urged vigilance in ensuring that the United States remains at the forefront of space exploration.
As both the United States and China have plans to send astronauts to the Moon in the coming years, the competition in space exploration continues to escalate. Nelson’s remarks underscore the importance of securing American leadership in space and the need to closely monitor China’s space activities to prevent any potential threats to US interests.