NASA chief Bill Nelson says China disguises its military space program under the appearance of a civilian program. U.S.
now engaged in a "race" with Beijing, says Nelson. He says he is "worried" that China would "get there first, and suddenly say, this is our territory. "The United States plans to land astronauts on the Moon in 2026 with their Artemis 3 mission. China also plans to send humans there by 2030, with plans for a manned mission by 2035, according to the country's plans.. "I would like China, the Chinese space program, to come to its senses and understand that civil space is made for peaceful use," he said. "I think we really shouldn't let our guard down. China is investing a lot of money in this,' he said, while warning: "But we have to be realistic." "We believe that a lot of what they call their civilian space program is actually a military program,' he added.