NASA Bars Chinese Nationals From Accessing Its Facilities Amid Rising Tensions

The US space agency NASA has blocked Chinese citizens with valid American visas from entering its facilities, effectively cutting them off from work at one of the world’s most prestigious space research institutions. According to Bloomberg, Chinese nationals—many of whom were contractors or students contributing to research projects—were notified on September 5 that they no longer had access to NASA’s systems and facilities. The agency later confirmed the move, saying it had restricted Chinese nationals from its “facilities, materials, and networks to ensure the security of our work.”

The decision comes at a time when China’s fast-growing space programme has heightened US concerns, intensifying competition between the two powers. Chinese astronauts are already barred from participating in the International Space Station because Washington prohibits NASA from sharing data with Beijing. The latest measure is likely to further erode scientific collaboration between the two countries, already strained by national security worries.

Bloomberg reported that affected researchers suddenly found themselves locked out of NASA data systems and excluded from meetings—both in-person and online—without prior warning. NASA press secretary Bethany Stevens confirmed that the agency had taken “internal action pertaining to Chinese nationals,” citing the need to tighten physical and cybersecurity protections.

China, meanwhile, has openly declared its ambitions in space. Its officials have dismissed US fears as “unnecessary”, framing Beijing’s space programme as a mission for all humanity. But Washington views China’s plans differently. At a Senate hearing last week, lawmakers stressed the urgency of ensuring American astronauts reach the Moon before their Chinese counterparts. “We’re in a second space race right now,” NASA’s acting administrator Sean Duffy told reporters. “The Chinese want to get back to the Moon before us. That’s not going to happen.”

Beyond planting flags, the race is also about resources. The Moon holds valuable minerals, including rare earth elements, iron, titanium, and helium—materials critical for industries ranging from superconductors to medical technology. As the US and China jostle for advantage, control over these resources has become an increasingly strategic concern.