NASA expects U.S. astronauts to land on Moon before Chinese counterparts

WASHINGTON: The head of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has expressed firm hope that the American astronauts will be able to land before their Chinese counterpart, sometime in 2025 or 2026.

In an interview to Nikkei Asia, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said “there are very, very few nations that do not want to be partners with us. China is one. China has always been very secretive,” adding “I think we’re in a race with China.”

Nelson said he was disappointed at the opaqueness of the Chinese space program, citing an incident last year when most of the world was left guessing where debris from a rocket launch would land.

“The second one we didn’t know if it was going to hit Europe or Saudi Arabia. Fortunately, it ended up in the Indian Ocean and China would not let us or anyone know about the trajectory,” he said. “We disagree with that position.”

“We think that the civilian space program ought to be open and transparent. And that we ought… to help each other out if there’s some emergency. China just has not been willing to be open about their space program.”

The U.S. is planning a crewed moon probe for the first time since the 1970s. In mid-November, NASA launched its next-generation moon rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS), with an uncrewed Orion capsule, which is expected to return to Earth on Sunday.

While this test was conducted without anyone on board, NASA has picked Space X to develop a vehicle that will allow astronauts to land on the moon in 2025 or later. The program, dubbed Artemis, aims to have astronauts explore Mars, using the moon as a base. 

When asked if the U.S. and its partners will beat China to moon, Nelson said, “I think we will.” China is aiming to have astronauts reach the moon by 2030. 

“I think that’s also important because those who returned to the moon first with humans, that will be a significant achievement. And I think China would like to do that,” he said. 

“If our program is successful, and our commercial lander is successful, I think we will be able to get there… somewhere in 2025, maybe 2026.”