NASA blocks Chinese citizens from working on space programs / Photo: Stefani REYNOLDS - AFP/File
-
Louvre says hundreds of works damaged by water leak
-
UN calls on Taliban to lift ban on Afghan women in its offices
-
Rutter rescues Brighton in West Ham draw
-
England trained 'too much' prior to Ashes collapse, says McCullum
-
How Lando Norris won the F1 title
-
Tearful Norris completes 'long journey' to become F1 world champion
-
'It's all over': how Iran abandoned Assad to his fate days before fall
-
Lando Norris: England's F1 prince charming with a ruthless streak
-
Lando Norris crowned Formula One world champion
-
What next for Salah and Liverpool after explosive outburst?
-
Netanyahu expects to move to Gaza truce second phase soon
-
Nervous Norwegian winner Reitan overshadows Hovland in Sun City
-
Benin government says 'foiled' coup attempt
-
British photographer Martin Parr dies aged 73: Foundation
-
Benin govt says 'foiled' coup attempt
-
Stokes refuses to give up hope as Ashes ambitions hang by thread
-
'Good banter': Smith and Archer clash in Gabba Ashes Test
-
Sri Lanka issues landslide warnings as cyclone toll hits 627
-
Macron threatens China with tariffs over trade surplus
-
Palestinian coach gets hope, advice from mum in Gaza tent
-
Undercooked, arrogant? Beaten England's Ashes build-up under scrutiny
-
Benin presidency says still in control despite coup attempt
-
In Jerusalem, Merz reaffirms Germany's support for Israel
-
Australia crush England by eight wickets for 2-0 Ashes lead
-
Star UK chef redesigns menu for dieters on skinny jabs
-
Australia on brink of victory at Gabba for 2-0 Ashes lead
-
South Africa coach Conrad says meant no malice with 'grovel' remark
-
Neergaard-Petersen edges out Smith for maiden DP World Tour win
-
Stokes and Jacks lead rearguard action to keep England alive
-
Sri Lanka issues landslide warnings as cyclone toll hits 618
-
McIlroy going to enjoy 'a few wines' to reflect on 'unbelievable year'
-
India nightclub fire kills 25 in Goa
-
Hong Kong heads to the polls after deadly fire
-
Harden moves to 10th on NBA all-time scoring list in Clippers defeat
-
Number's up: Calculators hold out against AI
-
McIntosh, Marchand close US Open with 200m fly victories
-
Divided US Fed set for contentious interest rate meeting
-
India nightclub fire kills 23 in Goa
-
France's Ugo Bienvenu ready to take animated 'Arco' to Oscars
-
Trump's Pentagon chief under fire as scandals mount
-
England's Archer takes pillow to second Ashes Test in 'shocking look'
-
Australia skipper Cummins 'good to go' for Adelaide Test
-
IBC Advanced Alloys Reports Results from its 2025 Annual General Meeting
-
5 Foods and Habits That Can Reverse Teeth Whitening Results
-
Is The DEA in Systemic Collapse: Corruption, Constitutional Violations, and a Seven-Year War Against Marijuana Medical Science
-
Onco-Innovations Engages Investment Bank to Pursue Nasdaq Cross-listing and Potential Concurrent Equity Offering
-
Mexico's Sheinbaum holds huge rally following major protests
-
Salah tirade adds to Slot's troubles during Liverpool slump
-
Torres treble helps Barca extend Liga lead, Atletico slip
-
PSG thump Rennes but Lens remain top in France
NYSE - LSE
| RBGPF | 0% | 78.35 | $ | |
| CMSD | -0.3% | 23.25 | $ | |
| BCC | -1.66% | 73.05 | $ | |
| NGG | -0.66% | 75.41 | $ | |
| SCS | -0.56% | 16.14 | $ | |
| BCE | 1.4% | 23.55 | $ | |
| VOD | -1.31% | 12.47 | $ | |
| CMSC | -0.21% | 23.43 | $ | |
| RELX | -0.55% | 40.32 | $ | |
| RYCEF | -0.34% | 14.62 | $ | |
| JRI | 0.29% | 13.79 | $ | |
| RIO | -0.92% | 73.06 | $ | |
| GSK | -0.33% | 48.41 | $ | |
| BP | -3.91% | 35.83 | $ | |
| AZN | 0.17% | 90.18 | $ | |
| BTI | -1.81% | 57.01 | $ |
NASA blocks Chinese citizens from working on space programs
NASA has begun barring Chinese nationals with valid visas from joining its programs, underscoring the intensifying space race between the rival powers.
The policy shift was first reported by Bloomberg News and confirmed by the US government agency.
"NASA has taken internal action pertaining to Chinese nationals, including restricting physical and cybersecurity access to our facilities, materials, and network to ensure the security of our work," NASA press secretary Bethany Stevens told AFP Wednesday.
According to Bloomberg, Chinese nationals had previously been allowed to work as contractors or students contributing to research, although not as staff.
But on September 5 several individuals told the outlet they were suddenly locked out of IT systems and barred from in-person meetings. They spoke on condition of anonymity.
The move comes amid escalating anti-China rhetoric under President Donald Trump's administration. The United States and China are competing to send crews to the Moon.
The US Artemis program, a follow-up to the Apollo landings from 1969–1972, is targeting a 2027 landing but has suffered cost overruns and delays.
China, by contrast, aims to land its "taikonauts" by 2030 under its program, and has recently been more successful at meeting deadlines.
"We're in a second space race right now," NASA's acting administrator Sean Duffy told reporters Wednesday, speaking at a news conference related to discoveries made with a US rover on Mars.
"The Chinese want to get back to the Moon before us. That's not going to happen. America has led in space in the past, and we are going to continue to lead in space in the future."
China is also seeking to become the first country to return a sample from the Martian surface, with a robotic mission slated to launch in 2028 and bring rocks back as soon as 2031.
The Trump administration, meanwhile, has signaled through its budget proposal that it wants to cancel a planned Mars Sample Return mission, a joint project with the European Space Agency.
It has hinted the job could instead be accomplished by a crewed mission, although no firm details have been provided.
W.Nelson--AT
