NASA chief says China could claim the moon as its own territory if it beats the US to lunar surface

[jgo]

The head of NASA has said that China could claim the moon as its own territory if beats the US in the race to the lunar surface.

In an interview with Politico, published Sunday, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said Chinese military expansion in the South China Sea was an indicator of what might happen on the moon.

Nelson said: "It is a fact: we're in a space race. And it is true that we better watch out that they don't get to a place on the moon under the guise of scientific research. And it is not beyond the realm of possibility that they say, 'Keep out, we're here, this is our territory.'

"If you doubt that, look at what they did with the Spratly Islands."

See more:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/nasa-chief-says-china-could-105234428.html

[Irish_Dem]

1. Yes the moon will be the new Taiwan.

They will fight to claim it.

[LakeArenal]

2. Universe War I.

[getagrip_already]

5. Solar system...

Let's not drag the ferange into this.

[regnaD kciN]

3. Didn't we already do that...?

I distinctly remember us planting the U.S. flag on the moon in July 1969.

[SheltieLover]

6. Yup!

[doc03]

10. No that was all in a Hollywood movie set

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Why didn't Trump think of that?

[Jeebo]

7. The moon's a big place.

Lots of territory up there for them to defend. If they have a few of their people occupying a small corner of it, there's no way they can keep us -- or anybody else -- from claiming another small corner of it. If they were to try to do that, it would only be an empty boast. Besides, we've already beaten them to it. By 53-plus years.

-- Ron

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

8. I'm more concerned about Antarctica.

China is making inroads into the Antarctic Treaty, especially its prohibitions on harvesting sea life and mining for minerals.

The Chinese government’s strategic approach to Antarctica is at the level of national security policy. Official documentation incorporates Antarctica and the Southern Ocean into the state’s expanded conception of domains for influence and dominance, beyond the Indo-Pacific. Beijing recognizes no existing claims to the continent and pursues a strategy that maximizes its own national interests there. Maritime Executive

It's easier -- and cheaper -- to establish a military presence which is supported by air and sea than one that relies on rockets.

[XorXor]

19. Great power competition over Antarctica is a far more realistic concern

[Xoan]

9. OhFFS.

[TexasTowelie]

11. Then China would be violating the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. nt

[Aristus]

12. We landed on the Moon back when Chairman Mao of the un-brushed teeth was executing farmers

for "looking too Western" or something.

You lost this one, China.

Run along now...

[PortTack]

13. China is in serious big trouble, financially, aging population and covid. They don't have the money

The man power or military hardware, especially air craft carriers to invade Taiwan yet they think they’re going to own the moon? They are beginning to sound and behave like Russia.

[twodogsbarking]

14. I was afraid Trump would try to blow it up.

[republianmushroom]

16. I'm surprised that trump hasn't claimed it.

[dalton99a]

17. China will claim China Lake, California as its territory

because the name has China in it

[XorXor]

18. I'm all for NASA getting back there first, but this sounds like fear mongering

I don't like being blatantly manipulated. I prefer to be manipulated in more subtle less obvious ways