U.S. interest in getting samples from the far side of the Moon recently brought back by the Chinese has led to what could be interesting discussions regarding the U.S. Congress’ embargo on cooperation between the two nations’ manned space programs. An amendment, proposed by the late Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA)and passed by Congress in 2011, severely restricts NASA cooperation with the Chinese space program.
Therefore, when the U.S. applied to get samples from China’s return from the far side of the Moon, China said they could not supply these, because of the Wolf Amendment restrictions. NASA Director Bill Nelson, speaking at the 75th International Astronautical Congress (Oct. 14-18) in Milan, indicated that he was working with U.S. lawmakers to dismiss “national security” concerns, and that he believes that talks on the issue with China will end “positively.”
This could be more than simply obtaining a “waiver” to allow the U.S. to receive the Chinese samples. China has made it clear that, to launch real cooperation, it is essential to correct the U.S. government’s policy toward China, emphasizing that China is open to having space exchanges with the U.S. Such “policy changes” could be more extensive than expected. The question is whether Nelson can “sell” this issue to Congress in the present political climate.