NASA chief says China could claim the moon as its own territory if it beats the US to the lunar surface

business insider via yahoo ^ | January 2, 2023 | Kate Duffy

[RomanSoldier19]

The head of NASA has said that China could claim the moon as its own territory if beats the US in the race to the lunar surface.

In an interview with Politico, published Sunday, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said Chinese military expansion in the South China Sea was an indicator of what might happen on the moon.

Nelson said: "It is a fact: we're in a space race. And it is true that we better watch out that they don't get to a place on the moon under the guise of scientific research. And it is not beyond the realm of possibility that they say, 'Keep out, we're here, this is our territory.'

"If you doubt that, look at what they did with the Spratly Islands."

[RomanSoldier19]

[ifinnegan]

What?

US got there more than 50 years ago.

Only nation ever that has gone to the Moon.

[Islander7]

What an idiot!

[C210N]

NASA now admitting we never went to the Moon.

Stanley Kubrick has his day.

[ifinnegan]

Does the head of NASA not know we already went to the Moon?

[Paladin2]

As previously pointed out, she’s a harsh Mistress.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I’m kinda surprised Brandon via Hunter hasn’t sold it to the ChiComs already!

Let’s Go, Brandon! *SPIT*

[ifinnegan]

Lol.

I guess so.

[WeaslesRippedMyFlesh]

China doesn’t acknowledge who got there, only who can defend it.

[Antihero101607]

Who GAF about the moon? We need to send billions more to Ukraine.

[BenLurkin]

[crz]

Well I guess they had better get Space X going.

Left up to NASA and the Chicoms will be sure to do that.

[cuz1961]

Bill Nelson

/\

And Bill Nelson would heartily approve I bet.

Sorry, USA got their first and planted OUR flag.

[alloysteel]

The surface of the moon is an awful lot of territory to claim by any entity here on earth, and that includes any one nation.

The moon is a much more hostile environment that even Antarctica, and much harder to keep a continuous presence there. But it probably makes an excellent field of battle, as it would be difficult to cause much in the way of collateral damage on the moon itself.

But as high ground, it could keep most opposition on the surface of Earth suppressed.

[C210N]

Well, it would be in agreement with what Kubrick said near his death (there is a clip of the interview floating around), and also with what buzz aldren has been quoted on.

[ifinnegan]

Thanks for announcing your insanity

(If you’re serious and not just joking around)

[C210N]

He knows. And, yet he said this anyway.

Worth discussing why...

[Campion]

Not an idiot. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 says that nobody can claim the moon as their territory or establish a military base there, etc.

Red China is not a signatory as far as I can tell.

[SuperLuminal]

What dickheads!
We already landed men on the moon...
It’s ours...

[Campion]

No, that’s not what he’s admitting. See my post immediately above.