A new space race? China adds urgency to US return to moon

By ELLEN KNICKMEYER
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s not just rocket fuel propelling America’s first moonshot after a half-century lull. Strategic rivalry with China’s space program is helping drive NASA’s effort to get back into space in a big way. Both nations are pushing to put people back on the moon and establish the first lunar bases. American intelligence, military and political leaders make clear they see strategic challenges to the U.S. in China’s space program, in an echo of the U.S.-Soviet rivalry that prompted the 1960s’ race to the moon. China is quickly matching U.S. civil and military space accomplishments and notching new ones of its own. NASA is awaiting a new launch date for its Artemis 1 uncrewed test moonshot.