NASA chief says China could reach Moon before US

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has acknowledged that China is capable of landing astronauts on the Moon before the United States returns there, while expressing confidence that NASA will ultimately reach the lunar surface first under its current timetable.

In an interview with CBS, Isaacman said China has made rapid progress in its space program, describing the competition as a new space race.

“The Chinese will land their taikonauts on the moon. There's no question. The question is, will the United States return before them, and will we do so in a different way this time, when we build a base, establish that enduring presence?” he said.

Isaacman added that the United States is in a race with China to establish a long-term presence on the Moon.

“We are very much in a space race right now, and the Chinese are moving at incredible speeds, and they are certainly capable of doing what the Soviets were not during the- the first space race,” he noted.

Despite China's advances, Isaacman said he believes NASA remains on track to return astronauts to the Moon ahead of Beijing's planned crewed lunar landing.

According to the NASA administrator, the agency is targeting a crewed lunar landing as part of the Artemis IV mission in 2028, while China is aiming to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030.

“Right now, they are thinking in 2029. We're saying, end of 2028 is when we're targeting the landing, that is months, not years. But we have an achievable plan. We have a national space policy, we have bipartisan support from Congress. We have the best and brightest from around the nation that did this before, and we'll do it again,” he remarked.

Isaacman also outlined NASA's broader plans for establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon. He said the agency intends to begin deploying infrastructure in 2027, including a lunar rover and other essential systems, ahead of the planned crewed landing in 2028.

“But I would say, early 2030s, the moon is going to be like the International Space Station. You're going to have crews that are there on pretty extended periods of time, as we learn in that environment and prepare for Mars,” he added.

By Sabina Mammadli