China has called on the United States to remove obstacles that hinder international scientists, particularly those from the U.S., from studying lunar samples brought back by Chinese missions. This appeal was made during a televised news conference in Beijing, where Chinese space officials highlighted the achievements of the Chang’e 6 mission, which successfully returned lunar samples to Earth.
Bian Zhigang, vice chair of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), pointed to the Wolf Amendment as the primary barrier to U.S.-China aerospace cooperation. Enacted in 2011, the Wolf Amendment prohibits direct bilateral cooperation between NASA and Chinese space entities unless the FBI certifies that there is no national security risk.
“The source of the obstacle in US-China aerospace cooperation is still in the Wolf Amendment,” Bian stated. “If the U.S. truly wants to hope to begin regular aerospace cooperation, I think they should take the appropriate measures to remove the obstacle.”
Despite this restriction, China has been open to collaborating with scientists from other countries. The Chang’e 6 mission, for instance, involved cooperation with the European Space Agency, France, Italy, and Pakistan. Liu Yunfeng, director of the international cooperation office of the CNSA, emphasized that China welcomes scientists from all nations to apply for access to the lunar samples.
“China welcomes scientists from all countries to apply according to the processes and share in the benefits,” Liu said.
The Chang’e 6 mission marked a historic achievement as it was the first time a probe had successfully taken off from the far side of the moon and returned with samples. The mission aimed to gather two kilograms of material, including 2.5 million-year-old volcanic rock, which scientists hope will provide insights into the moon’s geological history and the differences between its near and far sides.
The far side of the moon, which faces away from Earth, is known for its rugged terrain, including mountains and impact craters, making it a challenging target for exploration. The Chang’e 6 probe landed in the South Pole-Aitken Basin, an ancient impact crater, and collected samples from different layers, potentially offering a detailed record of the moon’s geological events.
While Chinese officials have not yet disclosed the exact quantity of samples collected or any preliminary findings, they have announced plans for future missions. These include the Chang’e 7 probe, which will explore resources at the moon’s South Pole, and the Tianwen-3 mission, scheduled for around 2030, which aims to return samples from Mars.
In a related development, NASA has recently allowed its researchers to apply for access to lunar samples collected by China’s Chang’e 5 mission in 2020. This decision marks a significant departure from the usual restrictions imposed by the Wolf Amendment. In an internal email, NASA stated that it had “certified its intent to Congress” to permit NASA-funded researchers to apply for the Chang’e 5 samples due to their unique scientific value.
“This allowance applies specifically to Chang’e 5 mission samples; the normal prohibition on bilateral activity with PRC on NASA-funded projects remains in place,” the email clarified.
James Head, a planetary geoscientist at Brown University, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to study the Chang’e 5 samples. He noted that the participation of international scientists could bring diverse perspectives and enhance the understanding of the moon’s geological history.
“It should be a very large set of applications,” Head said, predicting significant interest from the scientific community.
Since the Chang’e 5 mission, the CNSA has organized multiple rounds of sample applications, distributing over 250 specimens to Chinese institutes and universities. These samples have already led to more than 70 published research papers, with findings that have challenged previous assumptions about the moon’s geological timeline.
Xu Hongliang, a spokesman for the CNSA, reiterated China’s openness to international cooperation in space exploration. In an interview with China Daily, Xu emphasized that China has no laws or regulations prohibiting cooperation with the U.S. and called for the abolition of the Wolf Amendment.
“China has never made any law, regulation, or clause that prohibits cooperation with the U.S. on space exploration,” Xu said. “We place great attention on international space cooperation and we are always open to exchanges and communication with the U.S. in this regard.”
Xu also highlighted the extensive international cooperation China has engaged in, involving more than 50 nations and international organizations. He urged “farsighted people in the U.S.” to work towards removing the Wolf Amendment, which he described as a relic of Cold War mentality that hinders scientific progress.
The recent statements from NASA and U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns indicate a potential shift towards more collaborative efforts in space exploration. However, NASA has made it clear that the current allowance for Chang’e 5 samples is an exception and does not signal a broader change in policy.
As both the U.S. and China plan future missions to retrieve samples from Mars, the potential for increased cooperation in space exploration remains a topic of significant interest. The scientific community continues to advocate for more collaborative efforts, recognizing the immense benefits of shared knowledge and resources in advancing our understanding of the universe.
Source: AP, China Daily
