NASA’s leader is worried about an international race for lunar real estate, as China prepares for a series of missions to the Moon.

The Artemis program, NASA's initiative to return humans to the moon, faces challenges due to limited funding, changed political landscapes, and increased safety standards compared to the Apollo era.

China reportedly plans to launch its Chang'e 6 sample-return mission toward the moon's mysterious far side on Friday (May 3).

China will send a robotic spacecraft in coming days on a round trip to the moon's far side in the first of three technically demanding missions that will pave the way for an inaugural Chinese crewed landing and a base on the lunar south pole.