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Newsweek
a day ago
- Science
- Newsweek
The US-China New Space Race Is Intensifying
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The space race between the United States and China is intensifying, with both countries conducting rocket activities in their contest for dominance outside Earth's atmosphere. On August 12, the U.S. military carried out its first National Security Space Launch with a newly certified rocket. Three days later, China conducted the first static fire test of a new rocket intended for its manned lunar landing missions, which it plans to carry out before the end of the decade. Why It Matters Space, once seen as a peaceful domain, has again become part of the competition among great powers. The U.S. established the Space Force amid growing threats from Russia and China, which have been accused of militarizing space. In addition to military developments in space, the U.S. and China are racing to be the first to return humans to the moon—a historic achievement that former NASA astronaut Colonel Terry Virts warned could determine whether the 21st century belongs to the U.S. or China. What To Know According to the U.S. Space Force, a Vulcan rocket launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on its inaugural National Security Space Launch mission, delivering demonstrations and experiments, including a navigation satellite, into orbit for the Pentagon. A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket lifts off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on August 12 on its first National Security Space Launch mission. A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket lifts off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on August 12 on its first National Security Space Launch mission. United Launch Alliance The National Security Space Launch program uses commercial launch services to deploy satellites for communications; positioning, navigation, and timing; missile warning and tracking; and space situational awareness for the military and intelligence community. In late March, the Vulcan rocket—developed and operated by Colorado-based United Launch Alliance—was certified to deliver national security satellites into orbit, joining SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy as the third rocket certified for such missions. On Friday, the China Manned Space Agency announced that the Long March-10 carrier rocket successfully completed a static fire test at Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan, the country's southern island province, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. During the test, seven engines of the rocket's first stage were ignited, producing almost 1,000 tons of thrust while the rocket remained attached to the launch mount. The event evaluated the engines' simultaneous performance under different conditions, according to the agency. China's Long March-10 carrier rocket, the country's new-generation manned launch vehicle, conducts the first static fire test at Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan province, China, on August 15. China's Long March-10 carrier rocket, the country's new-generation manned launch vehicle, conducts the first static fire test at Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan province, China, on August 15. VCG via AP While the Long March-10 rocket is designed for China's manned lunar exploration missions, its sister variant, the shorter Long March-10A rocket, is also under development and is set to be used for missions carrying astronauts and cargo to the country's space station. What People Are Saying The U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command said in a news release on August 13: "Assured Access to Space executes the U.S. Space Force's core function of Space Access, performing the space lift and range control missions. It secures reliable and responsive launch services to deploy the space-based capabilities needed by our Nation's warfighters, intelligence professionals, decision makers, allies and partners." The China Manned Space Agency announced on August 15: "The Long March-10 series rockets will be fully utilized in the country's manned spaceflight program, working in tandem with the Mengzhou manned spacecraft to achieve the upgrading of China's manned space-Earth round-trip transportation system." What Happens Next Facing China's rapidly growing space capabilities, it remains to be seen whether the U.S.—including the military, NASA and commercial service providers—will maintain its space dominance.
Miami Herald
08-08-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
China Announces Breakthrough in Planned Moon Landing
China announced a major breakthrough in its planned moon landing mission as the East Asian power and the United States race to send humans back to Earth's natural satellite. China is moving toward its goal of landing astronauts on the moon by 2030. Meanwhile, the U.S.—the first and, to date, only country to land humans on the moon—has planned its crewed moon landing mission for mid-2027. However, the program's progress has faced challenges. Newsweek has contacted NASA via email for updates on its moon landing mission. During the height of the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, NASA launched the Apollo program, which landed the first humans on the moon in 1969. A total of six lunar landing missions—with 12 astronauts—were conducted until the program ended in 1972. China is advancing several space programs as it pushes for supremacy in this domain. In addition to its moon landing mission, it has constructed a network of 16 space-enabling facilities in Latin America while operating a modern space station known as the Tiangong. The space race between China and the U.S. could define whether the 21st century is the Chinese or American century, Colonel Terry Virts, a former NASA astronaut, previously told Newsweek, warning that China could absolutely beat the U.S. back to the moon. The China Manned Space Agency announced that its manned lunar lander—named Lanyue, which means embracing the moon—successfully completed the first "comprehensive landing and takeoff test" at a test site in Huailai County in Hebei province, northern China, on Wednesday. Footage of the test shows the lander—a test vehicle—igniting its rocket engines while descending to the ground. Meanwhile, a ladderlike structure can be seen installed on the outside of the lander, which could be used by astronauts to exit onto the moon's surface. The event marked the first time China tested the "extraterrestrial landing and takeoff capabilities" of a manned spacecraft, according to the agency, which described the test as a breakthrough in the research and development of its manned lunar exploration program. According to Xinhua News Agency, the Lanyue consists of two modules—one for landing and the other for propulsion. It is designed to transport two astronauts between the moon's orbit and its surface. The lander serves as a base during astronauts' activities on the moon. The design of Lanyue is similar to that used in the Apollo program. The Apollo Lunar Module consisted of an upper stage—which contained a crew compartment and an ascent rocket engine—and a lower stage that had the landing gear and a rocket engine for descent. China is also advancing another moon mission aimed at building the International Lunar Research Station, a scientific experimental facility located both on the moon's surface and in its orbit. The project's two phases are scheduled for completion by 2035 and 2050, respectively. China's Global Times reported on Thursday: "The test validated key systems, including the lander's design, control strategies, lunar contact shutdown procedures, and interface compatibility between subsystems such as GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) and propulsion." U.S. Transportation Secretary and interim NASA Administrator Sean Duffy outlined a plan to build a nuclear reactor on the moon on Tuesday: "We're in a race to the moon, in a race with China to the moon. And to have a base on the moon, we need energy." Besides the moon landing mission, U.S. President Donald Trump pledged to send astronauts to Mars, a goal supported by billionaire Elon Musk of SpaceX, who believes the moon "is a distraction." Related Articles US Ally Throws Down Gauntlet at ChinaMap Shows China Surrounded by ConflictsUS Intelligence Flight Detected on China's DoorstepUS Ally Near China Receives Major Boost to F-35 Fleet 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
08-08-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
China Announces Breakthrough in Planned Moon Landing
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. China announced a major breakthrough in its planned moon landing mission as the East Asian power and the United States race to send humans back to Earth's natural satellite. China is moving toward its goal of landing astronauts on the moon by 2030. Meanwhile, the U.S.—the first and, to date, only country to land humans on the moon—has planned its crewed moon landing mission for mid-2027. However, the program's progress has faced challenges. Newsweek has contacted NASA via email for updates on its moon landing mission. Why It Matters During the height of the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, NASA launched the Apollo program, which landed the first humans on the moon in 1969. A total of six lunar landing missions—with 12 astronauts—were conducted until the program ended in 1972. China is advancing several space programs as it pushes for supremacy in this domain. In addition to its moon landing mission, it has constructed a network of 16 space-enabling facilities in Latin America while operating a modern space station known as the Tiangong. The space race between China and the U.S. could define whether the 21st century is the Chinese or American century, Colonel Terry Virts, a former NASA astronaut, previously told Newsweek, warning that China could absolutely beat the U.S. back to the moon. What To Know The China Manned Space Agency announced that its manned lunar lander—named Lanyue, which means embracing the moon—successfully completed the first "comprehensive landing and takeoff test" at a test site in Huailai County in Hebei province, northern China, on Wednesday. Video of Lanyue test vehicle when descending with original environment sound. Via weibo / China航天 — Ace of Razgriz (@raz_liu) August 8, 2025 Footage of the test shows the lander—a test vehicle—igniting its rocket engines while descending to the ground. Meanwhile, a ladderlike structure can be seen installed on the outside of the lander, which could be used by astronauts to exit onto the moon's surface. The event marked the first time China tested the "extraterrestrial landing and takeoff capabilities" of a manned spacecraft, according to the agency, which described the test as a breakthrough in the research and development of its manned lunar exploration program. According to Xinhua News Agency, the Lanyue consists of two modules—one for landing and the other for propulsion. It is designed to transport two astronauts between the moon's orbit and its surface. The lander serves as a base during astronauts' activities on the moon. The design of Lanyue is similar to that used in the Apollo program. The Apollo Lunar Module consisted of an upper stage—which contained a crew compartment and an ascent rocket engine—and a lower stage that had the landing gear and a rocket engine for descent. In this photo provided by the China Manned Space Agency on August 7, China's manned lunar lander conducts a landing and takeoff test in Huailai County, Hebei province, northern China. In this photo provided by the China Manned Space Agency on August 7, China's manned lunar lander conducts a landing and takeoff test in Huailai County, Hebei province, northern China. China Manned Space Agency China is also advancing another moon mission aimed at building the International Lunar Research Station, a scientific experimental facility located both on the moon's surface and in its orbit. The project's two phases are scheduled for completion by 2035 and 2050, respectively. What People Are Saying China's Global Times reported on Thursday: "The test validated key systems, including the lander's design, control strategies, lunar contact shutdown procedures, and interface compatibility between subsystems such as GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) and propulsion." U.S. Transportation Secretary and interim NASA Administrator Sean Duffy outlined a plan to build a nuclear reactor on the moon on Tuesday: "We're in a race to the moon, in a race with China to the moon. And to have a base on the moon, we need energy." What Happens Next Besides the moon landing mission, U.S. President Donald Trump pledged to send astronauts to Mars, a goal supported by billionaire Elon Musk of SpaceX, who believes the moon "is a distraction."
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Euna Solutions Announces Headline Speakers for Inaugural Customer Conference, Eunaverse 2025
Astronaut Terry Virts to deliver keynote; public sector leaders from across North America to share insights at three-day conference, Sept. 8-10, 2025 ATLANTA & TORONTO, July 31, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Euna Solutions®, a leading provider of purpose-built, cloud-based solutions for the public sector, today announced the featured speakers for its inaugural customer conference, Eunaverse 2025, taking place September 8–10, 2025, at the Hilton Buena Vista Palace in Orlando, Florida. Headlining the event is Terry Virts, former NASA astronaut and Commander of the International Space Station. Virts will deliver a keynote that draws on his experiences in space to offer lessons in leadership, adaptability, and seeing challenges from a higher vantage point—insights every public servant can apply to their work on the ground. "Having someone like Terry Virts kick off Eunaverse 2025 sets the tone for a truly inspiring event," said Tom Amburgey, CEO of Euna Solutions. "His perspective on solving complex challenges in high-stakes environments mirrors the kind of mission-driven leadership we see every day in the public sector. We're also thrilled to highlight the voices of our own customers who are innovating in communities across North America." Public Sector Leaders Take the Stage In addition to the keynote, Eunaverse 2025 will feature customer-led sessions from forward-thinking government and nonprofit leaders who are driving impact with Euna's solutions: Freddy Lutz – PennBid Khushbu Kapoor – Avivo Thomas McBride – Northern Rivers Family of Services Rachel Soukup & Frances Urciel – Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Renee Oszust – Oakland Community College Martha Juch – Texas Department of Transportation These sessions will showcase real-world examples of innovation in procurement, budgeting, social services, public safety, transportation, and education. Learning, Connection, and Recognition In addition to speaker sessions, attendees will benefit from: Professional development courses eligible for continuing education credits Hands-on training and product workshops led by Euna experts Peer networking with fellow public sector professionals Panel discussions on the future of government technology and digital transformation The inaugural Euna Impact Awards, honoring public agencies using technology to create measurable community outcomes Join Euna Solutions in Orlando Hosted at the Hilton Buena Vista Palace, an official Walt Disney World® Resort hotel in the Disney Springs area, Eunaverse 2025 offers attendees a dynamic learning environment just steps away from world-class entertainment and amenities. Registration is now open: Early Bird rate (through August 1, 2025): $999; Regular rate: $1,199 (after August 1, 2025). For registration and sponsorship information, visit About Euna SolutionsEuna Solutions® is a leading provider of purpose-built, cloud-based software that helps public sector and government organizations streamline procurement, budgeting, payments, grants management, and special education administration. Designed to enhance efficiency, collaboration, and compliance, Euna Solutions supports more than 3,400 organizations across North America in building trust, enabling transparency, and driving community impact. Recognized on Government Technology's GovTech 100 list, Euna Solutions is committed to advancing public sector progress through innovative SaaS solutions. To learn more, visit View source version on Contacts Media contact:Michael TeboGabriel Marketing Group (for Euna Solutions)Phone: 571-835-8775Email: michaelt@
Business Wire
31-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Euna Solutions Announces Headline Speakers for Inaugural Customer Conference, Eunaverse 2025
ATLANTA & TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Euna Solutions®, a leading provider of purpose-built, cloud-based solutions for the public sector, today announced the featured speakers for its inaugural customer conference, Eunaverse 2025, taking place September 8–10, 2025, at the Hilton Buena Vista Palace in Orlando, Florida. 'Having someone like Terry Virts kick off Eunaverse 2025 sets the tone for a truly inspiring event,' said Tom Amburgey, CEO of Euna Solutions. Headlining the event is Terry Virts, former NASA astronaut and Commander of the International Space Station. Virts will deliver a keynote that draws on his experiences in space to offer lessons in leadership, adaptability, and seeing challenges from a higher vantage point—insights every public servant can apply to their work on the ground. 'Having someone like Terry Virts kick off Eunaverse 2025 sets the tone for a truly inspiring event,' said Tom Amburgey, CEO of Euna Solutions. 'His perspective on solving complex challenges in high-stakes environments mirrors the kind of mission-driven leadership we see every day in the public sector. We're also thrilled to highlight the voices of our own customers who are innovating in communities across North America.' Public Sector Leaders Take the Stage In addition to the keynote, Eunaverse 2025 will feature customer-led sessions from forward-thinking government and nonprofit leaders who are driving impact with Euna's solutions: Freddy Lutz – PennBid Khushbu Kapoor – Avivo Thomas McBride – Northern Rivers Family of Services Rachel Soukup & Frances Urciel – Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Renee Oszust – Oakland Community College Martha Juch – Texas Department of Transportation These sessions will showcase real-world examples of innovation in procurement, budgeting, social services, public safety, transportation, and education. Learning, Connection, and Recognition In addition to speaker sessions, attendees will benefit from: Professional development courses eligible for continuing education credits Hands-on training and product workshops led by Euna experts Peer networking with fellow public sector professionals Panel discussion s on the future of government technology and digital transformation The inaugural Euna Impact Awards, honoring public agencies using technology to create measurable community outcomes Join Euna Solutions in Orlando Hosted at the Hilton Buena Vista Palace, an official Walt Disney World® Resort hotel in the Disney Springs area, Eunaverse 2025 offers attendees a dynamic learning environment just steps away from world-class entertainment and amenities. Registration is now open: Early Bird rate (through August 1, 2025): $999; Regular rate: $1,199 (after August 1, 2025). For registration and sponsorship information, visit About Euna Solutions Euna Solutions® is a leading provider of purpose-built, cloud-based software that helps public sector and government organizations streamline procurement, budgeting, payments, grants management, and special education administration. Designed to enhance efficiency, collaboration, and compliance, Euna Solutions supports more than 3,400 organizations across North America in building trust, enabling transparency, and driving community impact. Recognized on Government Technology's GovTech 100 list, Euna Solutions is committed to advancing public sector progress through innovative SaaS solutions. To learn more, visit
