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China 'could seize control of the Moon' amid fears of military 'long march' into space
Top experts have urged the US and other nations to have a "laser-like" focus on ensuring China does not steam ahead in terms of astronomic exploration and expansionByNadeem Badshah
- 15:47, 15 FEB 2021
- UPDATED22:20, 15 FEB 2021
A Chinese national flag unfurled from the Chang'e-5 lunar probe when it landed in December (Image: China National Space Administrat)
China is on a mission to seize control of the Moon to get one over other nations, experts have warned.
They believe the secretive country wants to have a lunar base to exploit its rich resources as part of a new star wars campaign.
It comes after its Tianwen-1 spacecraft entered Mars’s orbit last week.
The Chinese probe will spend three months mapping the planet before landing on the surface in May.
Tianwen-1 will look for signs of ice which future human life could use as water.
Leonard David, author of Mars: Our Future on the Red Planet, said: “China is on a long march to establish itself as a vibrant spacefaring nation.
“They will soon begin building their own space station in Earth’s orbit [and] they are pressing forward on an agenda of lunar exploration - one that will eventually lead to China placing home-grown boots on the Moon.”
It comes after US military chiefs expressed concerns about China’s ambitions.
Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden’s new defence secretary, urged the US to adopt a “laserlike focus” on keeping its military edge over Beijing including building “space-based platforms”.
David added: “We are seeing the high ground of military strategy move from ocean, land, and air-fighting capability into space - and even out to the Moon.”
Meanwhile, Nasa’s Perseverance vehicle will enter Mars’s orbit and land on the Red Planet on Thursday.
A Long March-5 rocket carrying Chang'e-5 spacecraft blasts off from Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on November 24, 2020 in Wenchang (Image: VCG via Getty Images)
Last week the Hope probe, built by the oil-rich United Arab Emirates went into Mars’s orbit.
But astronomers have played down the idea of a new space race.
Professor Andrew Coates, from University College London, said there was a great deal of teamwork between the US, Chinese and UAE teams involved in their missions through the Mars Exploration Programme Advisory Group.
China's military 'could seize the Moon' amid fears of 'long march' into space
Top experts have urged the US and other nations to have a "laser-like" focus on ensuring China does not steam ahead in terms of astronomic exploration and expansion
