Beijing might claim ownership of the Moon if it wins the next "Space Race," according to NASA, not only the South China Sea.

 By Ashish Dangwal - January 02, 2023

China and the United States are involved in a new space competition, according to the head of NASA. If China wins, he said, it may assert ownership of land on the moon.

NASA administrator Bill Nelson, a former astronaut and senator from Florida, told Politico that if China first takes up residence on the moon, they may segregate the lunar surface's most abundant resource areas.

We are engaged in a space competition, he told the publication.

He said that the US should keep an eye on Beijing should it travel to a location on the moon with the intention of conducting a scientific research and declare, "Keep out, we're here, this is our country." This is not beyond the realm of possibility.

Nelson went on to discuss China's aggressive actions in the South China Sea, where the Chinese government regularly claims sovereignty over areas that are governed by other countries.

Nelson made his criticisms during NASA's 26-day Artemis I mission, which saw an unmanned Orion spacecraft make a lunar orbit. The mission, which was generally regarded as a success, constituted the first critical step towards NASA's goal to transport men to the moon in 2025.

Moon Chang'e 4 Lander and Rover (Photo: CNSA)

The US is increasingly at risk from China's robust space programme, which just witnessed the launch of a new space station. Before the end of this decade, Beijing intends to send taikonauts to the moon.

The Chinese government revealed its plans for more ambitious initiatives in December, including the development of a system for space administration and infrastructure. The US space agency has been working on its Artemis line of lunar missions in the meanwhile.

However, because it depends on a number of unique systems and apparatuses that are currently in development, the US programme runs the danger of lagging behind the Chinese if there are significant setbacks or delays.

Concerns About China's Space Program are Growing

High-ranking US officials have frequently warned that China's space capabilities are expanding quickly and posed serious threats to American dominance in space in recent years.

Nina Armagno, the director of staff for the US Space Force, claimed in November 2022 that Beijing had made significant progress in creating military space technology, particularly in areas like satellite communications and reusable spacecraft, which allow countries to quickly expand their space programmes.

"Absolutely, I believe it is conceivable for them to overtake and exceed us. At a gathering organised by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Armagno said that the group had achieved progress "breathtakingly, stunningly rapidly."

A Pentagon assessment also emphasised the Chinese space program's most recent developments. It praised China for its creative ability to set up a communications relay utilising a satellite between the Earth and the moon by landing on the far side of the moon.

Chinese Space Station

According to the paper, China is getting better at making space launch systems, which will allow for greater human space travel. However, China's communist leadership is certain that these questions about its motivations are unfounded.

Liu Pengyu, a spokeswoman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, claimed in a statement that certain American officials have recklessly disparaged China's regular and legal space operations. He said, "China vehemently condemns such statements."

Pengyu pointed out that space exploration and peaceful uses of space are common human endeavours that should benefit everybody.

He asserted that China actively works to create a space community with a shared destiny for humanity, opposes the militarization of space and the rush to develop space weapons, and constantly advocates the peaceful use of space.

Nelson still assured the audience that the American effort to be the first to return to the moon was on schedule by mentioning that the Artemis programme received legislative backing. In fiscal 2023, Congress approved $24.5 billion for NASA, which is almost half of what President Joe Biden requested.

Illustration of the SpaceX Starship human lander, which will use the Artemis programme to send the first NASA people to the Moon's surface.

Source: SpaceX

He predicted that Artemis II, the following lunar mission, will launch "within two years" and added, "Hopefully, we can speed it." By 2024, a crew is to be sent into lunar orbit, according to that mission plan.

He did, however, disclose that the space agency is under intense pressure due to the necessity of reusing all of the avionics in the Artemis I capsule for Artemis II due to cost-cutting measures.

The new comments from the head of NASA demonstrate how China and the US are engaged in a heated competition for control of the moon's enormous resources.