NASA Chief Declares Ongoing Space Race With China

WHO:

Yahoo - NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated that the U.S. is in a space race against China.

WHAT:

Yahoo - Isaacman claimed that the U.S. aims to land astronauts on the moon by 2028, while China plans to send its "taikonauts" to the moon before 2030.

Yahoo - Isaacman mentioned that the timelines for both countries are closer than they appear, with the U.S. targeting the end of 2028 for its lunar landing.

Yahoo - The Artemis III mission is set to test critical lunar landing systems and is a key milestone before the U.S. can send astronauts back to the moon.

Yahoo - Isaacman described the Artemis III mission as involving "three of the world's most powerful rockets" testing their capabilities in Earth orbit.

Yahoo - NASA plans to launch missions on a nearly monthly cadence in 2027 to establish a moon base.

Yahoo - Isaacman predicted that by the early 2030s, the moon will have a presence similar to the International Space Station.

WHERE:

Yahoo - The focus of the space race is on the moon.

WHEN:

Yahoo - NASA's Artemis III mission is set to take place next year.

Yahoo - NASA aims to land astronauts on the moon in 2028.

Yahoo - China is looking to send its taikonauts to the moon before 2030.

Yahoo - Isaacman stated that the moon base construction could begin next year, with infrastructure expected to be in place by 2029.

WHY:

Yahoo - Isaacman emphasized the need for the U.S. to establish an enduring presence on the moon to prepare for future missions to Mars.

HOW:

Yahoo - Isaacman indicated that NASA's plan includes building a lunar terrain vehicle and other infrastructure on the moon by 2028.

(UPDATED July 6, 2026 14:22 UTC)

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has declared that the U.S. is in a space race against China, with both nations aiming for lunar landings in the coming years. The U.S. plans to land astronauts on the moon by the end of 2028, while China intends to send its taikonauts before 2030, and the Artemis III mission, scheduled for next year, will be a critical step in this endeavor. Isaacman highlighted the importance of establishing a permanent presence on the moon to support future missions to Mars, with construction of a moon base potentially starting next year and infrastructure expected to be ready by 2029.