NASA Scientists Can't Study China's New Moon Rocks Due to Controversial US Law

By janimonow on July 3, 2024

Earlier this week, China's Chang'e 6 lunar probe landed in Inner Mongolia, bringing back the first-ever samples collected from the far side of the Moon. This mission has thrilled the international scientific community, as the far side of the Moon remains largely unexplored, with only China having landed there so far.

Despite the global excitement, one country will not be participating in the study of these rare samples: the United States. This exclusion is due to the Wolf Amendment, a 2011 law that bars NASA from using government funds to directly cooperate with China.

This legislation has sparked significant debate, with some advocating for its repeal to facilitate international cooperation, while others view China as a competitor in space. According to the China National Space Administration, the removal of the Wolf Amendment is necessary for US-China aerospace collaboration to move forward.

China's Chang'e 6 rover returned nearly two kilograms (4.4 pounds) of lunar samples. While not the largest collection compared to NASA's Apollo 16 mission, which brought back 26 pounds of rocks in 1972, it is the first sample from the Moon's far side. These samples could reveal valuable insights into the Moon's resources, such as water ice, which are crucial for future space exploration.

Despite the restrictions imposed by the Wolf Amendment, China remains open to international collaboration. "China welcomes scientists from all countries to apply according to the processes and share in the benefits," said Liu Yunfeng, the director of international cooperation at the China National Space Administration.

Originally intended to pressure China on human rights issues, the Wolf Amendment has not achieved its desired effects. Over the past decade, China has made significant strides in space exploration, including multiple lunar missions and the launch of its own space station.

While there was a rare instance of cooperation last year when NASA encouraged scientists to study samples from China's Chang'e 5 mission, the Wolf Amendment continues to be a barrier to full collaboration. As China continues to advance its space program, it holds a strong position in the ongoing space race, having significantly outpaced NASA's lunar efforts in recent years.