The United States space agency Nasa has barred Chinese nationals from working on its space programmes, a move that prevents them from accessing one of the world’s most respected research centres.
Chinese citizens, who were able to contribute to Nasa’s work as contractors or students, discovered on 5 September that their access to Nasa systems and facilities had been revoked. Reports said they were suddenly denied entry to data networks and were stopped from attending both in-person and virtual meetings.
Nasa later confirmed the decision, stating that Chinese nationals would no longer be allowed to use the agency’s facilities, materials or networks. The agency said the step was taken to ensure the security of its work.
The restriction comes at a time when China’s space programme is advancing quickly, raising concerns in Washington and intensifying the space race between the two largest economies. Chinese astronauts are already excluded from the International Space Station because the United States has blocked Nasa from sharing information with Beijing.
The latest action further reduces scientific cooperation between the two countries, which has already declined due to security concerns. As both sides push for technological leadership, mistrust continues to grow.
For many Chinese students in science and technology, the climate has become increasingly difficult. Some have faced challenges obtaining US visas, while others have been questioned even after securing permission to study in the country. In recent years, there have also been several cases of alleged espionage in the United States involving Chinese nationals, with researchers and scientists under close scrutiny.
It is unclear how much warning Nasa gave before cutting access. Reports suggest that the changes came as a surprise to those affected. Nasa’s press secretary Bethany Stevens confirmed that the agency had taken “internal action pertaining to Chinese nationals – including restricting physical and cybersecurity access to our facilities.”
China has been open about its space ambitions. Both Beijing and Washington are aiming to send astronauts to the Moon, heightening competition.
“We are in a second space race right now,” said Nasa’s acting administrator Sean Duffy during a press conference where he also spoke about US discoveries on Mars. “The Chinese want to get back to the Moon before us. That is not going to happen.”
A senior official from China’s Manned Space Agency had previously dismissed US concerns as “unnecessary,” describing China’s exploration efforts as a “collective mission for humanity.”
In a Senate hearing last week, US lawmakers underlined the urgency of reaching the Moon first. Republican senator Ted Cruz said, “China has made no secret of its goals. [If] our adversaries achieve dominant space capabilities, it would pose a profound risk to America… [the] stakes could not be higher.”
The competition is not only about who lands first on the Moon. It also involves control over lunar resources. The Moon contains valuable minerals, including rare earth elements, metals like iron and titanium, and helium, which is used in superconductors and medical equipment.
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