NASA Chief Bill Nelson has raised concerns about China's military activities in space, stating that Beijing is using its civilian space programs as a cover for military objectives. Speaking before American lawmakers, Nelson emphasized that China's space program, which has made significant advancements in recent years, is shrouded in secrecy, making it challenging to discern its true intentions.
Nelson highlighted the need for vigilance and cautioned that the United States is in a race with China in space. He stressed the importance of asserting the peaceful use of space for civilian purposes and expressed hope that China would align with this principle.
During his testimony before the House Appropriations Committee on NASA's budget for 2025, Nelson underscored the urgency for the US to return to the Moon before China does. He voiced concerns that if China were to establish a presence on the Moon first, they might attempt to assert ownership over lunar resources, posing potential challenges to international cooperation and exploration efforts.
China's recent achievements in space, including the deployment of an Earth-orbiting space station and lunar missions, have intensified competition in space exploration. While the US is planning to send astronauts back to the Moon in 2026 through its Artemis III mission, China aims to land humans on the Moon by 2030.
Nelson's remarks underscore the strategic importance of space exploration and the need for robust international cooperation to ensure the peaceful and sustainable use of space resources.
