Trump Declared a Space Race With China. The US Is Losing

The article discusses the deteriorating state of the U.S. space program amid a declared space race with China, highlighting that the U.S. is currently losing ground. Senator Ted Cruz, emphasizing the competition, sought assurances that the U.S. would not be beaten by China in returning humans to the moon. However, despite such rhetoric, the Trump administration's actions—including significant budget cuts to NASA, leadership instability, and internal conflicts—have undermined the agency's capacity to achieve this goal. Multiple former NASA officials express pessimism about America's chances, citing a lack of coherent planning and commitment despite framing the effort as a race. Historically, the U.S. space program symbolized national pride and technological supremacy, driving innovations that shaped modern life. In contrast, today’s global landscape shows China advancing rapidly in science and technology, including space exploration, while the U.S. faces challenges such as reduced science funding and restrictive immigration policies for skilled workers. The article underscores that if China successfully lands astronauts on the