NASA Loses 4,000 Staff Amid Trump Cuts, China Gains Lead in Moon Race

• NASA experienced a loss of nearly 4,000 employees due to administrative upheaval and tariffs under the Trump administration, disrupting long-term planning and leadership.
• The US Artemis program, aimed at crewed lunar landings, faces delays and relies on expensive repurposed older technology, with key elements still under development.
• China's centrally planned space program is methodical and shielded from political cycles, achieving a historic first with Chang'e-6 returning samples from the Moon's far side.
• China targets the Moon's south pole for water ice and resources, with missions like Chang'e-7 focused on extracting lunar water for long-term human activity.
• While the US leads the global space economy, China's accelerating commercial space sector and consistent long-term vision are narrowing the gap, especially in strategic areas.

Why It Matters: NASA's staff cuts and political turbulence under Trump have hindered the US Moon program, allowing China to surge ahead.