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2d ago

NASA Bars Chinese Nationals From Programs as U.S.–China Lunar Race Intensifies

The restrictions signal rising security concerns around a race to return humans to the lunar surface.

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The official NASA insignia, nicknamed “the meatball,” on the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida
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Overview

  • NASA confirmed it has taken internal action restricting Chinese nationals’ physical and cybersecurity access to agency facilities, materials, and networks, according to press secretary Bethany Stevens.
  • Several Chinese contributors reported being locked out of NASA IT systems and excluded from in-person meetings on Sept. 5, Bloomberg first reported.
  • Acting Administrator Sean Duffy said the United States will not be beaten back to the Moon by China, declaring, “No way, not going to happen,” during remarks on Sept. 10.
  • NASA targets a 2027 Artemis landing while China publicly aims for a crewed landing by 2030, following August tests of its Lanyue lunar lander mockup.
  • Policy signals include a White House executive order to speed commercial space approvals and a budget proposal to cancel the Mars Sample Return mission with ESA, reflecting shifting U.S. space priorities.