NASA bars Chinese citizens from space programmes

AFP :

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.