Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:30pm on 25 Sep 2026,Friday Science
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has warned that China could restrict US access to valuable areas near the Moon’s south pole if it arrives first. Speaking at the Off World conference in Houston, Isaacman said China’s delayed Chang’e 7 mission was targeting Shackleton Crater, where permanently shadowed “cold traps” may contain water ice and useful materials. The mission is designed to use an orbiter, lander, rover and mobile hopper. Isaacman said establishing a presence first could allow exclusion zones around landing sites, potentially limiting rivals’ access. China’s delay has created an opportunity for NASA, with Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 1 planned for spring 2027. China aims for crewed lunar missions by 2030. (PC: Reuters)
