China Nears Manned Moon Landing Before NASA Amid Intensifying Space Race

The space race between the United States and China is intensifying as China advances rapidly toward landing astronauts on the lunar surface before 2030, potentially outpacing NASA's Artemis program, which faces delays and budget constraints. China has successfully tested key technologies including the "Lanyue" lunar lander and the Long March 10 rocket, signaling concrete progress in crewed lunar missions and collaboration with Russia on the International Lunar Research Station. Meanwhile, the U.S. is bolstering its space capabilities with milestones like the first National Security Space Launch by a newly certified Vulcan rocket, supporting military and intelligence operations amid concerns about space militarization by China and Russia. Experts warn that the lunar race could determine global leadership in the 21st century, with Chinese ambitions aiming to surpass the U.S. in space dominance by 2045, posing strategic and security challenges. U.S. officials, including Senator Jim Inhofe and General Stephen Whiting, express concern about the erosion of American space leadership and emphasize the critical nature of maintaining dominance in space for national security and global influence. These developments highlight a multifaceted contest involving technological, military, and geopolitical dimensions as both nations strive for supremacy beyond Earth.