"NASA Chief Worries Over China's Lunar Resource Theft"

NASA administrator Bill Nelson expressed concern that China may claim lunar resources for itself if it reaches the Moon's south pole before the US. Nelson emphasized the importance of ensuring that any resources found on the Moon, such as water, are available to all nations. Tensions between NASA and China's space program have been growing, with Nelson warning of a space race and potential political motives behind China's scientific research. While Russia's space program also plans to search for water on the Moon, Nelson sees China as a greater threat. The Artemis III mission, NASA's first crewed Moon landing since 1972, is still on track for a late 2025 launch, potentially giving China limited time to reach the lunar surface.