NASA bars Chinese citizens from its facilities, networks

"You don't need to be a rocket scientist to understand why NASA implemented this policy: In July, dual Chinese/American citizen Chenguang Gong admitted to a lengthy industrial espionage campaign that saw him download information on sensors used by aircraft to confuse infrared-seeking missiles, plus data on radiation-hardened cameras that the US placed in orbit to give an early warning of incoming rockets and hypersonic vehicles. China has also recruited spies at the US Navy."

"National pride is also at stake. China and the USA are both trying to land astronauts on the moon in coming years. Former NASA staff last week suggested Chinese Taikonauts will put boots on regolith before US astronauts leave their mark. NASA acting administrator Sean Duffy has since rubbished that notion. "Our mission is maintaining American dominance in space," he said in a Wednesday video. "China wants to get there, but we're getting there first.""

NASA has barred Chinese nationals from accessing its premises, materials and networks, including visa holders resident in the USA. The agency restricted both physical and cybersecurity access to protect its work. The policy followed revelations that dual Chinese/American citizen Chenguang Gong admitted to an industrial espionage campaign downloading sensitive sensor and radiation-hardened camera data, and reports of Chinese recruitment of spies within the US Navy. The move reflects serious risk to military-related data and national pride amid a race with China to return humans to the Moon. US law limits NASA collaboration with China's space program without Congressional approval.

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