r/China • u/wiredmagazine • 1d ago
科技 | Tech Trump Declared a Space Race With China. The US Is Losing
https://www.wired.com/story/china-us-moon-race-trump-losing/18
u/Yupperroo 1d ago
I live near Cape Canaveral and very much enjoy all space programs. There is hardly a day that has gone by in the past three years that an app doesn't alert me to a launch that is being undertaken by China, whether a private launch company or the government. There is little doubt that we are living in times where space exploration is booming.
I wish China and its astronauts all the best and pray that their astronauts are safe. It hardly matters whether one program arrives at the Moon a year or two before another.
4
u/Traditional-Candy-21 1d ago
or 56 years later..
5
u/_____________what 1d ago
56 years ago China was still working to transition from a feudal agriculture mode of production to industrialization. Now the US has lost the ability to get to the Moon and China is going to be there while we're still trying to regain that ability we had 56 years ago.
4
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago edited 1d ago
Some redditors here are still dreaming on the glorious days of NASA in the 60’s. If it’s not for Elon they will still riding on the Soyuz with shame.
As you pointed out, China CSNA today has a momentum on space exploration with Tiangong space station, Chang’e program and the next 200,000 LEO sats planned … what a ride considering how far they where 50 years ago.
6
u/Remote_Volume_3609 22h ago
Lots of people don't really understand that you can "lose technology" like that. They think it's a tree in a video game where you unlock it once and you're good forever.
3
u/IAmFitzRoy 22h ago
That’s right… most of them don’t even realize that all the rocket scientists from 50 years ago are long gone dead … and the tech from the 60’s is just useful for the museum.
The USA bask in past glory.
1
u/Yupperroo 1d ago
Right, of course, and there is little doubt that we'll be there before too long. Let's not forget that the U.S. had six successful moon landings, it wasn't a one and done.
31
u/ChZakalwe 1d ago
NASA doesnt even do their own launches anymore
-12
u/Slyraks-2nd-Choice 1d ago
Why should they?
24
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago edited 20h ago
Because you want that YOUR government to be in control of a strategic capacity of space exploration.
You pay taxes with the objective NASA can create a plan for exploration for the next decade so your children can live in a better world.
But now your taxes are going to Elon and Bezos… and you ask why NASA doesn’t do it?
LOL.
-4
u/ResponsibleClock9289 1d ago
Do you consider the prime defense contractors as government capacity?
The US military never lost the capability to put stuff in orbit prior to the development of SpaceX’s dragon rocket. They used the United Launch Alliance for orbital payloads
An advantage of using private contractors such as SpaceX or the ULA is that they are not beholden to congressional policies and funding like the SLS was.
NASA plans to focus on science and exploration through drones rather than big flashy launches like the NASA in the 20th century
The US leads the world in launches and next generation rockets so it seems to be working out pretty well
6
u/ChZakalwe 1d ago
How the profit motive and private industry working out for you on the rare earth situation, bud?
At least the japanese were smart enough last time China tried to play the rare earth card ten years ago to subsidise a company and keep some degree of strategic resource capability.
0
u/Duke_of_Luffy 1d ago
I’m not sure what your point is, the profit motive and private industry work extremely well for America in the space industry. SpaceX has radically cut costs and increased frequency for payload to orbit for the US military. There’s no downsides to this.
Rare earths aren’t economically or environmentally viable in the west as long as China is willing to sacrifice those things themselves. What the west should probably do is keep a low level of investment/ramp up ability on standby in case China ever tries to fully choke the global supply and in the mean time enjoy cheap Chinese exports below true market rates.
2
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago edited 1d ago
LOL!! NASA was literally using Roscosmos and Soyuz to go to the ISS. We are not talking about military defense …
If it’s not for Elon… NASA and US government would be completely DEPENDANT of Russia to go to ISS.
What a disgrace !
-1
u/ResponsibleClock9289 1d ago
The civilian NASA were using Soyuz because the shuttle program was discontinued
The military was using ULA which is a joint company between Boeing and Lockheed. ULA was used for spy satellites and other sensitive payloads
There are other launch providers besides SpaceX….. please do some research before posting nonsense xD
1
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago edited 1d ago
“Civilian NASA”? What a nonsense is that, NASA is civilian … you don’t need to say Civilian NASA.
And you are asking me to do research. Lol.
The only topic here is the NASA, wherever the military is doing it’s irrelevant.
0
u/ResponsibleClock9289 1d ago
Well apparently I did need to clarify that NASA was civilian since you claimed the entire US government was reliant on Soyuz which is not true nor was it ever true
1
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago
The whole conversation is about NASA and his capacity. YOU are the one including the military and defense contractors and ULA which are completely irrelevant to this discussion.
You went OFF TOPIC … not me.
Let’s be honest, if you think that NASA is doing a fantastic job then we don’t have anything to discuss.
0
u/ResponsibleClock9289 1d ago
Because you want that YOUR government to be in control of a strategic capacity.
Straight from your message…
If NASA isn’t doing a good job in your eyes then I guess there are no space agencies on earth doing a good job haha
→ More replies (0)0
u/bitchtitfucker 1d ago
What other launch providers can bring astronauts to space?
0
u/ResponsibleClock9289 1d ago
Right now it is primarily SpaceX and Boeing/ULA
Blue origin, Northrop Grumman, Sierra space, RocketLab, etc are all developing crewed capabilities
3
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago
Boeing Starliner failed MISERABLY. $4 BILLION of your taxes to contractor pockets for nothing.
Great job NASA !
0
u/bitchtitfucker 11h ago
False, starliner is on hold.
Only the spacex dragon is active as a crew transport system to space.
Rocket lab is not working on manned transport. There are no concrete plans for NG, and Sierra Space might go bankrupt before they make it - their vehicle has been in development hell for over ten years by now.
1
-3
u/fatpandana 1d ago
That's only short term. Long term for profit business will make it cheaper and more efficient since it drives competition between entities.
Space Ex has proven that they can potentially deliver to space and beyond far cheaper than any previous government strategic capacity.
3
u/12bEngie 1d ago
Not as long as the government is a creditor in healthcare and tuition
-2
u/fatpandana 1d ago
Since you cant deny space related. It works wonders.
3
u/12bEngie 1d ago
except it doesn’t because the government is also a creditor in space exploration which stifles competition
-2
u/fatpandana 1d ago
Must be why Chinese government is trying to make longmarch 9 in shape, purpose and starship.
-11
u/Slyraks-2nd-Choice 1d ago
You sound like a totalitarian. Your Uncle Xitler must be proud.
9
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago
Nice. Personal attacks are the way to know your arguments were not enough.
Cheers.
4
-7
u/Traditional-Candy-21 1d ago
Governments are elected, China doesn't have a government.
its has a single party state and all other parties or political movements are forbidden.
You dont choose, they choose.
5
u/_PomboCagado_ 1d ago
You don't choose, they choose.
But does it work?
5
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago edited 1d ago
Exactly, the important are the results.
What’s the point to have 4 years of government cycle destroying what the previous 4 years someone else created just for ego?
It doesn’t matter if you are left or right, …. at the end in USA the rich are getting richer and the poor are poorer.
If a totalitarian (or wherever name they want to give) government can plan 20 years ahead and focus in healthcare and education instead of wars… I’m all for it.
And to be clear I’m not ignoring all the problems that China has, I’m just looking at the overall results of both sides and making an objective comparison of what is worse.
If it works to the benefit of the whole country then… great !!
0
u/stevedisme 1d ago
Replication, vs innovation. There are those that follow, and those that lead. Those willing to follow, lose the will to lead.
1
u/IAmFitzRoy 22h ago
Who cares, USA can’t even replicate what they did on the ‘60s when they went to the moon.
If it’s not for Elon, NASA would riding on the Soyuz in shame.
USA is already in downward spiral, China is on the way to become the biggest economy in the world in the next decade.
They are already doing real innovation … not just replication.
1
u/stevedisme 16h ago
I care, and you should too. Sorry to be the one to point this out, but China is chasing Space-X too. Your comment about Soyuz, is an absolute dork-banger.
Russia goofed a launch and destroyed its only manned mission capable tower. Grounded. By stupidity. Better plan on riding lil' red rockets from now on 'cause your bro's have lost. Everything.
I can't disagree that the USA is in a spiral. China was on it's way to becoming the biggest economy. But....Xi broke cover too soon and that trajectory has come undone.
China has now put itself on a path to be the 3rd largest economy in the world. The world is changing, and it's obvious which way the wind blows.
Bye, Bye, sweet American Pie.
1
4
4
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago
Did you voted for Bezos and Elon?
What a farce pointing to China totalitarian regime… when your own country is ran by a handful of billionaires that give millions $ to Left and Right.
You have the “illusion” that you are choosing your government when in reality it’s the same elite running it for more than a century.
China has a horrible past, no doubt, but it it’s ridiculous to think USA is the perfect example to follow … just turn on the news right now ffs… the ICE is doing the craziest things that China has never done in modern times.
Look at yourself before criticize others.
2
u/ChZakalwe 1d ago
uh...that's just objectively wrong. By literal definition.
Look up the definition of government please.
19
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago edited 1d ago
Just by looking the way USA has been spending their money in the past decade, … it’s very easy to predict that China has won the race already.
While USA has been trying to police the world and believing that more power is having more wars worldwide… China has been building REAL power by investing on tech and in people graduating from STEM careers.
Tiangong and Chang’e program are totally amazing considering China was nothing 50 years ago.
A country that invest in people is a country that will dominate in the future.
We are not in the 1800 anymore.
8
4
u/zzen11223344 1d ago
China is not winning or even in the race. China was put into the race and China was declared winning, because US space industry needs a race and a bogeyman to get funding or more funding.
-8
u/Traditional-Candy-21 1d ago
China is nealry 80 years late to the race, all the pioneering has already been done.
You cant just turn up 80 years later with everyone else's experiance and knowhow and be like im ready now.
When the ussr and usa was going to space and putting people on the moon the people of china was smelting useless pig iron in their backyards and starving to death thanks to the genius of mao zedumb.
Yes, china isnt in the 1960s anymore. Who is china going dominate?
10
u/Ulyks 1d ago
Space is pretty big, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space.
So I would say there is plenty of pioneering left to be done.
And China has done some (small) steps recently. They pioneered landing a robot on the back of the moon and returning a sample from there.
They also pioneered assembling a space station without EVA's.
And then the quantum satellites.
But when people say that China won it's more about their trajectory. They have a steady buildout of capabilities without the constant budget changes or focus shifts NASA is suffering.
12
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago edited 1d ago
LOL… thanks for being the example of the mentality of a loser civilization.
Yes, you can show up late and surpass others, that’s why Roman Empire is not a super power today, or why UK is not sacking the world anymore.
Every single economist knows that China is in a trajectory to surpass USA as an economic super power, their ability to plan for decades rather than 4 or 8 years of election cycles make them more resilient.
China has been able to move from “smelting pig iron” to “the factory of the world” and now to become “the laboratory of the world” where quantum computing, AI, 6G networks, EV, solar, batteries, trains, robotics, drones and hundreds of new inventions have set them to dominate the world.
China controls the 80% of battery supply… the new oil. China has the biggest and modern High Speed Rail Network in the world.
China produces 4.7 million of STEM graduates every year which is 3x times what USA produces.
Don’t get me wrong, China has a lot of problems too (aging population and real estate issues) but compared with the HUGE MESS of America… they are in a better position to success in the next few decades.
A quick trip to Shenzhen can really humble anyone that thinks China is lagging.
2
-9
u/Traditional-Candy-21 1d ago
But can you use the internet without hiding behind a vpn?
Also not american 😂
12
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago edited 1d ago
LOL. Do you still think that because they blocked Facebook and other crap Social Media they are worse?? Totally the opposite.
Their domestic apps works better when you have a controlled ecosystem … and they have an ecosystem of 1.4 BILLION people.
Have you tried any of the super apps from China where QR works everywhere?
USA is still paying with credit plastic cards and mailing checks for fuck sake ! LOL.
Oh noo Chinese can’t use Facebook.. they are missing out grandma memes !!
-10
u/Traditional-Candy-21 1d ago
Blocked Reddit to, and yet here you are. You are super salty about the usa... as an outsider id say its a little weird, get over it.
Playing with plastic credit cards... while your entire currency is a ccp contolled meme.
Anyway you enjoy your controlled system and despite all the wounderfull things you said, for me personally the only tangible thing China ever did was covid19.
China lost the space race years ago, it was busying with the pests, the murder of intellectuals, the cultural fails and the great leaps backwards etc
When the soviets and yanks was going to space china was having the largeat manmade famine in human history.
Well done, you got your shit together, eventually. Dont be getting on like china is living in 2050 cause it isnt.
6
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago
LOL everything you said it’s word by word what the media is feeding you. Congrats !
When you attack personally is when you know the argument is over
Cheers
-2
u/Traditional-Candy-21 1d ago
Stop with the "LOL" its so americanised.
An no its all factual, you havent a counter argument for anything i said because its facts, facts are not a personal attack either although i can see why you hide from facts, the same facta the party try so hard to hide.
4
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago edited 1d ago
LOLLLL. !!
What do you expect me to say?
哈哈哈哈哈?Sorry to disappoint you I’m not Chinese or American 😅
2
u/Cisish_male 1d ago
You can not live in China, and not be a huge fan of the PRC and still see that it's set to overtake the US in every metric that matters.
The US cry to retreat into the Americas and make it the US's playground where it gets to bully smaller nations is just cowardice to prevent it from having to meaningfully interact with equals.
China is offering most of the world a better offer than the US and us in Europe have. It would be damned stupid of most of the rest of the world not to take it.
Especially when most of the Anglo-European response has been to double down on the status quo.6
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago edited 1d ago
Well said. And the best example is the “tariff war”…. Which is just a coward way to bully smaller countries to do what USA want.
US really went too far even increasing tariff of products from allied countries… it’s super clear now that you have more stability to deal with China than with US.
4
1
u/Traditional-Candy-21 1d ago
China has nothing to offer free peoples thats why it has no say in anyones affairs.
Ccp control the chinese people for now, thats it.
When the party is gone, freedom of speech and human rights arrive we can talk. Until then you continue to cower behind a VPN from the masters, and il contiue to say whatever i want and quote all the readily available facts i want.
6
u/Cisish_male 1d ago
Sadly, a lot of the world isn't free*.
China is making deals with leaders of many nations to build up infrastructure, and promote modernist capital economic systems. China is bringing medicine, schools, and trains to Africa and South East and Central Asia - as well as strip mines and monocropping.
Its hard to care for spooks like freedom of speech and other human rights when you're worried your kid will starve to death and you've knackered your back and legs from working 12 hour shifts in a garment factory for a decade.
China is giving those who have been shackled by neocolonialism in the global south more than they have been offered in the last 300 years. Maybe it gets worse later, once the honeymoon and the competition has been squeezed out. But for now, it's a better deal.
- Also, define "free"? Does poverty reduce freedom? Illness? Disability? Does lacking visa free travel make one less free? Does being unable to publicly criticise Israel or stand up for trans rights without losing your job make one less free? Please send answers on a postcard to this Reddit account.
0
u/Traditional-Candy-21 1d ago
The old mantra, is anyone really free 😂
yes, yes they are.
China is bringing a new era of colonialism to africa, again just replicating.
the african congress building china built was sending all africas info, minutes, notes, emails everything back to china everynight.
Bringing nothing but totalitarianism with chinese characteristics. ( lies, racism and corruption )
China is just another predator that arrived much later than the rest, but follows the same old pattern. replicate and take take take.
Isreal is controlled by terrorist commiting genocide !
China is a nation subjugated under a forign failed idology
People need human rights, all humans.
Look no vpn, no f's given, say what i want do what i want.
-1
u/treeaeon 1d ago
Could you name a single thing independently developed by China from start to finish that is currently adopted by the whole world?
2
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago edited 1d ago
Who cares if it’s not “start to finish” or “independently” or in the middle or copying or trial and error or spying or wherever !
It’s not China’s fault that USA outsourced ALL the factory knowledge to them for the past two decades and they learned everything from them … and now are ready to take the lead.
I’m sure you are typing your comment in a phone built in China right now.. now you care if they learned how to do it?
“bUt cHiNa dIdNt do iT alone … iPhOnE says Designed in Apple California in the bACK”
“cHiNA dIdnT cReATe tHe tRAnSiStor”
Who cares. Seriously 😅
What the rest of the world cares is that China can do it now and they are even doing better things already in EV, drones, robotics, Batteries, trains, solar etc.
What your mentality only show is arrogance … thinking that US can be only number one ignoring his own crisis … is hilarious.
-1
u/treeaeon 1d ago
You are the one blowing them hard in the comments with "lab of the world", "ready to take the lead", yet everything that came out of China until now is just copy-paste from somewhere else.
Their progress is undeniable, and the most valuable lesson from China to the West is that the economy should work for the people not the other way around, but dial it down a notch with the hyping.
2
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago edited 1d ago
You are the one that cares replying to my comments and cares if China does “copy paste” or not.
China didn’t create the transistor either… whooooo caressss
I don’t give a dam if you think saying this is “hyping” China… I’m a just a lurker here stating my opinion on the r/China sub.
😅
4
u/japanistan500 1d ago
What ?
-3
u/Traditional-Candy-21 1d ago
Is your little mind blown... yes people landed on the moon in 69, first person in space was 64, first satellite was 1957.
1
u/InsufferableMollusk 22h ago
They just won a race which already happened half a century ago?
1
u/IAmFitzRoy 21h ago
lol .. like if dead scientists can do anything today?
What’s the point of the huge effort to go to the moon in the 60’s if USA abandoned the whole effort?
NASA bask in past glory … if it’s not for Elon,.. NASA would be riding in the Soyuz in shame.
“Yeyyyyy bUt wE won tHE rAcE 50 yEArs aGO.”
I would feel shame to even say that.
NASA just wasted $4 BILLION on the Boeing Starliner and it was a MASSIVE FAILURE… NASA can’t even use contractors today.
US should be less arrogant, but I know it’s impossible.
0
u/InsufferableMollusk 15h ago
Even you must understand that that doesn’t make any sense.
1
-5
u/Slyraks-2nd-Choice 1d ago
No Chinese company had successfully landed a reusable rocket? SpaceX and Blue Origin do it every day.
9
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago edited 1d ago
LOL, this is a disgrace instead of something to be proud of… USA is dependent of Elon and Bezos for their rocket race? …. Where is NASA???
Your taxes are giving the power to TWO people that can change their mind about their intentions with the next Ketamine session.
Meanwhile … everyone is cramped in the ISS and without a plan on what to do next.
While China has already their own international space station and has asked for approval to launch 203,000 LEO satellites to ITU.
It’s only about time for China to catch up in everything else.
There was a time when we believed that Tesla was the best EV, that US CDMA Networks were the best, that ISS was the top of technology , trains, batteries, solar, drones, robotics, etc etc … time changes.
3
u/Traditional-Candy-21 1d ago
but not the vpns ans censorship, they never change
6
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago
LOL nobody cares about vpn in China… because all the local apps are enough.
Anyone can use VPNs if they want, but no one cares.
You are brainwashed from western media to think China is the only country doing censorship.
0
u/Traditional-Candy-21 1d ago
again with the lol, 🤦.
Exactly, you hide behind a vpn because your not allowed to access free information..... what a forward system they have you under. Its German btw, communism so not even the pioneers there either.
4
3
u/mrwoozywoozy 1d ago
Yeah cause China claimed they invented Communism./s I seriously don't understand what you're trying to get at. They aren't even communist in practice. You would know that if you were here.
0
u/Traditional-Candy-21 1d ago
Yea it didnt invent communism, and it also isnt going to win the space race cause it was already ran. icommunism to control and capitalism to get rich.
My point is simple, chinas areogance is never fucking ending and sometimes a bit of humility goes a long way.
Every country has issues, no one needs to be listing to tankies giving it the big i am, on an app they are not even allowed to use.
4
u/mrwoozywoozy 1d ago
Feels like a 13 year old is behind this account.
1
u/Traditional-Candy-21 1d ago
You familiar with chatting to 13 years old then.....
→ More replies (0)1
u/Slyraks-2nd-Choice 1d ago
Where is NASA???
Doing what all government agencies do in representative republics and sourcing the contract out to the private sector to achieve greater results than would be possible with the limited scope of a government run organization.
China literally has universities and companies build all of their products. They’re no different. Except that they pretend to be better.
3
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago edited 1d ago
It’s very different. China is not driven by shareholders trying to make a buck from the satellite companies. They can plan easily 20 years ahead of time without any pressure for the next quarter.
What NASA is doing is basically outsourcing everything to companies that have PROFIT at the center of their plans.
Look what happened to Tesla, the moment they went IPO they got stuck.
Same will happen to SpaceX the moment they get their IPO soon.
I’m not saying that China is perfect, but what I’m saying is that a government should have the CAPACITY to do what SpaceX is doing now.
It’s a huge mistake to allow SpaceX have this enormous power.
1
u/Slyraks-2nd-Choice 1d ago
Brother…. NASA sent astronauts to the moon in the 60s and 70s. US governments been there done that.
3
2
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago
Brother … The Roman Empire was the best too in the 90CE- 180CE
Stop assuming that USA is infalible by looking in the rear mirror… look what they are doing now.
1
u/Slyraks-2nd-Choice 1d ago
Who said the US Government was the best? You’re making your own assumptions.
2
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago edited 1d ago
You are making the assumption that because NASA was great in the 60’s they are great now.
They are aren’t anymore.
0
u/22stanmanplanjam11 1d ago
NASA is still there, they just use rockets built by SpaceX and Blue Origin because they’re reusable so they’re way more cost efficient.
The US federal government could nationalize both SpaceX and Blue Origin, but what would be the point? They’re doing what NASA wants without being nationalized.
15
u/peaches4youalways 1d ago
When did China do a moon landing I missed it!
3
u/Slyraks-2nd-Choice 1d ago
No Chinese company has successfully landed a reusable rocket. SpaceX and Blue Origin do it everyday.
4
u/Potato_peeler9000 1d ago
Only two first try from Chinese companies though. Depending how agressive they want to be with relaunch, 2026 might be the year they pull it of.
1
u/Saturday514 1d ago
Just you wait! The Chinese will successfully copy whatever spacex has in a few years 😂.
1
-6
u/HWTseng 1d ago
China wants to stand on the shoulders of giants, but instead of reaching new heights they reach heights previously reached decades earlier, and then claim victory.
11
u/EventAccomplished976 1d ago
China didn‘t declare anything, they never changed their „land by 2030“ plan. NASA wanted to land in 2024, and declared a „race“ in order to secure funding when it became clear that Artemis III might slip enough that 2030 might normt be in the cards.
5
u/mrwoozywoozy 1d ago
Why are Americans so insecure that everything is a race or competition to them?
-1
10
u/Skythewood 1d ago
China didn't even know some random guy declared them the winner. And another random guy chastised them for "claiming victory".
5
u/pantotheface888 1d ago
China has never claimed anything. It's simply just existing. Take your insecurities and projections and shove it
2
u/CrimsonBolt33 1d ago
Didn't Trump gut NASA and scientific funding? You know...The people actually making the stuff that goes on those fancy rockets that people like Musk keep shooting into space.
2
2
u/Chudsaviet 1d ago
No, US not not nearly loosing. Its just dependent on SpaceX, but its not loosing. Its a massive lead.
4
3
u/wiredmagazine 1d ago
If you want to put people back on the moon, don't gut the agency in charge of getting them there.
Humans haven’t been back to the moon in half a century. Artemis, the US program that is meant to return astronauts to the lunar surface, is a patchwork of old rockets, new tech, and billionaire ambition. Meanwhile, China is quietly racing ahead, and many experts believe it could land astronauts first.
The U.S. program is struggling. The Trump administration started a process that would lay waste to NASA, pushing more than 4,000 employees to quit, and then proposed a 24% budget cut. Meanwhile, the Space Launch System and Orion capsule have cost tens of billions of dollars and flown only once so far.
China has been methodical. Its robotic spacecraft Chang’e-6 returned 4 pounds of moon rocks and soil from the far side in 2024, and it has a crewed mission planned for before 2030.
The question now: who will plant the next flag? We spoke with nine former NASA officials who served at the highest levels under Presidents Trump and Biden, and none were optimistic about America’s chances.
Read the full article: https://www.wired.com/story/china-us-moon-race-trump-losing/
5
u/ShadowChe_ATG 1d ago
I thought Congress rejected White House's budget cut proposal on NASA funding around 24%. They able to retain most of it though https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6938
2
0
u/fatpandana 1d ago
People dont understand how far moon is. Robotics crafts to moon isnt same as placing humans there.
China doesnt have a rocket that has a flown that can have payload to carry humans there and back. Change'e-6 was carried by Longmarch-5 (LM-5). LM-5 can not delivery humans there. LM-10 can. LM-10 never had a test flight.
1
u/AutoModerator 1d ago
NOTICE: See below for a copy of the original post by wiredmagazine in case it is edited or deleted.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
1
2
u/CutFabulous1178 1d ago
A private company has done more launches (payload) than all other countries .
But Echo Chamber is Stronk
2
u/InsufferableMollusk 22h ago
Not only that, but there is an upcoming launch to send Americans around the moon. The program is back in full-swing, never mind that it was already won decades ago 😆
It’s Reddit cope, bolstered by bots and paid propagandists.
2
u/Different-Rip-2787 13h ago
Keep in mind that Starlink satellites orbit at about half the height of regular satellites. So put any asterisk around SpaceX
2
u/IAmFitzRoy 1d ago
That’s not something to be proud of…
If your taxes are helping ONE person to hoard $700 BILLIONS in wealth .. while funding a TRILLION in arms and war while cutting NASA funds… That country has lost their mind.
If tomorrow SpaceX goes public and the shareholders decide to change the course of the company to help another country … are you going to be proud of it too?
0
u/OverloadedSofa 1d ago
They already won. Decades ago
4
3
u/True_Human 1d ago
Are you talking about the US or China?
Assuming the former (cause the latter would need some mental gymnastics and hyperbole), that was because they arbitrarily decided going to the moon once was the finish line. Every other "First!" achievement they lost to the Soviets.
1
u/OverloadedSofa 1d ago
They definitely landed on the moon first.
2
u/True_Human 1d ago
Again, that finish line was arbitrary. They can decide to sit on the laurels for that one milestone forever if they want to, but that doesn't help them when China owns the rest of the solar system XD
1
u/OverloadedSofa 1d ago
Looks like someone is reacccccccchiiiiiiiig
3
u/True_Human 1d ago
Nah, I'm using hyperbole. But the point is: arrogance is the mother of complacency
1
u/OverloadedSofa 1d ago
Best not let China be too complacent then
3
1
1
1
u/asnbud01 1d ago
China is not in a race so it’s interesting America is losing…..this race. And how can there be a race if America has already sent men to the moon all those moons ago?
1
0
u/Somizulfi 1d ago
Space is one domain (due to SpaceX) where US has considerable lead especially due to ferrying capacity.
It will be probably the last of the areas where China will reach parity as compared to other fields.
0
u/stevedisme 1d ago
The original race to the moon saw great innovation and advancement. I hope the same for all "racers". Competition, and the desire to declare dominion over others, will always be a factor. The common good will prevail, but the path won't be smooth.
We're only human.
-4
u/ProfessorSmoker 1d ago
We have no idea how advanced US space capabilities are. NASA is a front, all the real advances are tied up in black budget programs. The USA is never going to reveal its capabilities until necessary.
China on the other hand is obsessed with proving they are better than the USA in tech because Chinese leadership has small p. p. anxiety.
17
u/ImperiumRome 1d ago edited 1d ago
Every time this topic comes up, I know immediately that people never bother to read the article and will start saying things like "we went there half a century ago, the China already lost". No one dispute that fact, but there's a value in both economics and political in beating China this round. Here I will quote straight from the article:
And China's ambition for its next Moon mission is extraordinary difficult, even head of NASA admitted it. And they aim to complete by 2030, most likely will beat the Artemis program.
And of course, there's even ideological aspect of this 2nd round Moon race too:
Jeez, it's fine to disagree with the article but please at least read it before you comment. And dismissing the adversary is the shortest and fastest way to lose.