Chinese citizens have been officially barred from NASA’s space programs after years of limited access as contractors or student researchers. The move comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing, with US President Donald Trump strongly opposing Chinese involvement in critical American projects. According to NASA insiders, Chinese citizens with valid visas were abruptly locked out of IT systems and denied entry to internal meetings, signaling one of the strictest space collaboration restrictions in recent years.
NASA press secretary Bethany Stevens confirmed that the agency has enforced new internal security measures targeting Chinese nationals. These include tighter restrictions on cyber access, facility entry, and research materials to safeguard ongoing missions. While Chinese researchers were earlier allowed to assist as contractors, they are now excluded from all levels of participation.
Growing Space Rivalry Between US and China
The decision comes as the United States and China compete fiercely in the modern-day “second space race.” Under the Artemis program, NASA is working to send astronauts to the moon by 2027, although cost overruns and delays continue to slow progress. In contrast, China’s lunar program is advancing on schedule, with Beijing planning to send its taikonauts to the moon by 2030.
NASA officials, including acting chief Sean Duffy, have publicly declared that America cannot afford to lose the race for lunar dominance. “China wants to go back to the moon before us. This is not going to happen,” Duffy stated, emphasizing that the US must retain leadership in space exploration. The Trump administration has already indicated budget changes that could affect the Mars Sample Return Mission, a joint initiative with the European Space Agency.
China’s Bold Plans for Mars Missions
Beijing is not only focused on the moon but also positioning itself to become the first nation to return samples from Mars. China’s National Space Administration has confirmed a robotic mission scheduled for launch in 2028, aiming to retrieve Martian rocks and soil by 2031. With both powers accelerating their timelines, the US-China space rivalry is set to define global space policy in the coming decade.
