There are already American flags on the moon – six in total, which Apollo missions placed in the lunar kingdom. However, the Americans, who are the only people on Earth to have reached the moon so far, have never had the idea of declaring their companion their own American territory.
That is exactly what the Chinese are now planning, warns former astronaut, senator and current NASA director Bill Nelson (80). Nelson fears that Beijing could declare the moon its own territory – to control its resources.
“The fact is that we are in a space race,” Nelson told Politico magazine. “And it’s true that we better watch out that the Chinese don’t go to the moon under the guise of scientific research. And it’s not unlikely they’ll say, ‘Stay out, we’re here, this is our territory.'”
China’s reach for the stars
The Chinese are reaching for space. China just launched its 10th crew to its Shenzhou space station. “The progress they’re making is breathtaking — breathtakingly fast,” said Nina Armagno, 56, chief of staff of the United States Space Force.
China’s manned space program began in 2003, with China’s first astronaut Yang Liwei (57). In 2019, the Chinese were the first to land on the far side of the moon. In 2020, a Chinese probe returned rocks from the moon to Earth, as the Chinese continue to improve their delivery systems for human space exploration.
Americans rely on Artemis
It would not be the first time that Beijing has just claimed territory. In the South China Sea, the Chinese are populating entire islands and expanding reefs and atolls into residential and military facilities – in areas where the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia have always claimed sovereignty.
Nelson is confident that with the Artemis mission, the Americans will get back to the moon before the Chinese can. The Artemis 2 spaceflight around the moon, scheduled for May 2024, would also be the first manned lunar mission since Apollo 17 in December 1972. With Artemis 3, Americans should return to the moon in 2025 or 2026.
“If God wants it”
According to Nelson, Artemis’ success depends on two factors: “Whether the spacesuits and SpaceX launcher are ready.” Nelson is concerned about the pace of Chinese development.
The Chinese National Space Agency said in August that Chinese astronauts will walk on the moon around 2030. Nelson warns that there is little time to lose: “China has made tremendous achievements and progress in the last decade.” They also target some of the same lunar landing sites as NASA.
Asked if American astronauts will return to the moon before China, Nelson replied, “God willing.” (kes)