(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
NASA is tightening its security belt, blocking Chinese nationals with US visas from entering its facilities, joining research projects, or tapping into internal networks. This bold step shows how seriously Washington is taking the race to stay ahead in space amid rising tensions with Beijing.
The news, first reported by The Epoch Times, comes as NASA notified several Chinese contractors and researchers on September 5 that their access is over. Many woke up to find themselves locked out of digital systems and cut off from both in-person and online meetings linked to their NASA work.
Bethany Stevens, NASA’s press secretary, confirmed the changes. She said the agency is acting to cut down on physical and cyber risks, stressing the need to shield sensitive operations from potential threats.
This policy shift fits into a bigger picture of growing worries about Chinese espionage in US tech sectors. Recent years have seen multiple cases tied to the Chinese Communist regime, pushing American agencies to get tougher on security.
It’s not clear if a specific breach triggered NASA’s decision. When pressed for details, the space agency pointed to comments from acting administrator Sean Duffy on Fox Business. Duffy warned that the US is in a “second space race” with China, whose moon plans seem more about military goals than peaceful discovery.
US defense leaders echo these fears. Space Force chief General B. Chance Saltzman has highlighted how Beijing’s space efforts are deeply woven into its military playbook. On the other side, China is ramping up fast—testing its powerful Long March-10 rocket for moon missions in August, with plans to put astronauts on the lunar surface by the end of the decade.
As the US-China space rivalry heats up, NASA’s restrictions could reshape collaborations and spotlight the high stakes in protecting America’s edge in space exploration.
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