NASA Blocks Chinese Students From Programs As U.S.China Space Race Heats Up

(MENAFN- Khaama Press) NASA has barred Chinese students and researchers from its programs, citing security concerns, as U.S.–China rivalry intensifies with both nations racing to achieve manned lunar missions.
NASA has moved to restrict Chinese students and researchers from joining its educational and research programs, amid intensifying competition with China in space exploration.

Agence France-Presse reported on Thursday, September 11, that the agency has started denying access even to Chinese citizens with valid visas for participation.

Several individuals reported on September 5 that their access to NASA's IT systems was suddenly cut and they were barred from attending in-person meetings. The incident highlighted growing internal restrictions tied to security concerns.

Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy told reporters on September 10 that the United States is now in a“second space race.” He emphasized that China aims to reach the Moon first, but insisted America will maintain leadership in space exploration, pointing also to China's planned Mars sample-return mission by 2031.

Bethany Stevens, a NASA spokesperson, said the measures include limiting physical access and tightening cybersecurity protections to safeguard facilities, resources, and networks.

Bloomberg noted that while Chinese nationals were earlier permitted to take part in research projects as contractors or students, they were never eligible for direct employment at NASA.

The new restrictions come against the backdrop of growing anti-China sentiment in the United States, particularly during Donald Trump's presidency.

Both Washington and Beijing are competing to send crews to the Moon, a major symbol of technological leadership and global influence.

China aims to land its astronauts, known as“taikonauts,” on the lunar surface by 2030, and has recently shown progress in meeting its ambitious timeline.

NASA's ban reflects rising security concerns as well as geopolitical rivalry, signaling how space research is shifting from cooperation to competition between the world's two leading powers.

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