NASA restricts access for Chinese scientists as US-China competition intensifies in the race to the Moon and advanced space technologies (Image Credit: ANI)
NASA has barred Chinese citizens with US visas from its sites and networks, a sign of Washington's increasing discomfort with Beijing's technological and space strides. Chinese nationals unconnected to state-owned institutions could previously serve as contractors, university researchers, or graduate students.
NASA's Bethany Stevens, a spokesperson, confirmed the agency has taken "internal action" to restrict physical and cybersecurity access to its facilities, materials, and data networks. Chinese staff were cut off from NASA systems and agency meetings on September 5, Bloomberg sources reported.
The move follows both nations plans to send crewed missions to the moon within five years, with NASA hoping to make it in 2027 and China in 2030. Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy underscored the urgency, calling space exploration "critically important" and dismissing suggestions that America was lagging behind.
Legislators from both sides of the aisle have emphasized the necessity of racing China to the moon. Republican Senator Ted Cruz has pointed out Beijing's competitive investments in space technology, citing that American dominance hangs in the balance. Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell emphasized that leadership of the moon is not symbolic but strategic, to ensure that China does not have a permanent presence.
The constraints follow the House of Representatives moving legislation to restore the "China Initiative," a program initially rolled out in 2018 to respond to Beijing's economic spying. While earlier faulted for racial profiling and botched prosecutions, the lawmakers in the House contend that dismantling the initiative was "deeply irresponsible." Critics, such as 24 Democratic members, say the submitted legislation threatens civil rights rollback.
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The House appropriations bill also restricts NASA's engagement with Chinese nationals, preventing the agency from official collaborations with China or Chinese-owned companies. This is also consistent with more comprehensive congressional attempts to restrict US-China scientific collaboration, specifically projects with Chinese universities with military affiliations. The Pentagon has also been questioned for its support of research associated with Chinese institutions.
With the space race heating up, America is walking a thin line between promoting international scientific cooperation and defending sensitive technology. NASA's recent steps underscore the intense stakes of space exploration in the context of strategic rivalry with China.
