[Video below.] NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman warned that the United States is once again engaged in a fierce race to the moon, saying China is advancing rapidly and could soon establish its own human presence on the lunar surface unless America moves first.

Appearing Sunday on CBS News’ Face the Nation, Isaacman said the competition with Beijing has become one of the nation’s top strategic challenges.

“The Chinese are moving at incredible speeds, and they are certainly capable of doing what the Soviets were not during the first space race,” Isaacman said. “The Chinese will land their taikonauts on the moon. There’s no question.”

While expressing confidence in China’s capabilities, Isaacman said the more pressing issue is whether the United States can beat China back to the moon and establish a permanent foothold there.

“The question is, will the United States return before them, and will we do so in a different way this time, when we build a base, establish that enduring presence? I think the answer is yes.”

NASA has continued making progress toward that goal. Following the successful Artemis II mission in April, during which four astronauts circled the moon, the agency recently announced the crew for the next Artemis mission, scheduled for next year.

The Artemis III mission is expected to play a critical role in preparing for America’s return to the lunar surface in 2028 by testing key landing technologies and systems.

Isaacman explained that Artemis III will involve a complex series of operations designed to validate the equipment needed for future lunar missions.

“You’re going to see the three most powerful rockets in the world … And then you’re going to have the landers come together in Earth orbit, test out their capabilities, very a la Apollo 9, give us the confidence in our landers for Artemis IV in 2028. This is an achievable plan to put astronauts back on the surface of the moon.”

Beyond returning astronauts to the moon, Isaacman said NASA intends to begin creating a permanent lunar outpost. He said the agency plans to launch missions at an almost monthly pace during 2027 to establish what he described as a proving ground for future exploration of Mars.

Looking ahead, Isaacman predicted construction of the lunar base could begin as early as next year. By the time astronauts return to the moon in 2028, he said, they should find the first elements of a permanent settlement already in place.

“There’s going to be a buggy there, a lunar terrain vehicle, there’s going to be a start of infrastructure … [and] I would say, early 2030s, the moon is going to be like the International Space Station.”

He added that astronauts will eventually spend extended periods living and working on the moon as NASA gains experience operating in the lunar environment before undertaking future missions to Mars.

“You’re going to have crews that are there on pretty extended periods of time, as we learn in that environment and prepare for Mars.”

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{Matzav.com}