NASA Chief Warns of China's Hidden Military Presence in Space, Urges US to Maintain Global Edge
NASA Head Bill Nelson has warned lawmakers in Washington that China is hiding military objectives in space using civilian programs.
He believes China's advancements in space over the past decade are significant, but secretive, and that their civilian space program may be a military one.
Nelson emphasized the importance of the US getting to the moon first to prevent China from claiming it as their territory and excluding others.
NASA chief Jim Bridenstine warns that the US may lose its leading position in space due to China's significant investment.
He expressed concern over China's growing budget for space exploration and urged the US to remain vigilant.
Bridenstine also criticized China's space program for not adhering to peaceful uses.
NASA is working on the Artemis program to return humans to the moon and establish a lunar base as a stepping stone for Mars missions.
The Artemis 3 mission, scheduled for September 2026, was recently postponed.