NASA, ESA, D. Calzetti (University of Massachusetts), H. Ford (Johns Hopkins University), and the Hubble Heritage Team
Working with China in Space
In June 2024, China became the first country in history to obtain rocks from the far side of the moon. A long-held fascination for mankind, the moon is currently the focus of space projects in both the China and the United States, with the U.S. hoping to return people to the moon in 2026. Both countries are working to maintain their place in the world of space affairs, and both have advanced space programs. It is vital for the United States to retain its prominence in space for both national security and scientific development reasons. U.S. satellites provide vital security information each second, and the country must stay in the game to ensure space remains a place of peaceful scientific exploration for all. Despite disagreeing on a multitude of fronts, the United States and China both want space to remain peaceful and weapons free. Collaboration on space projects would benefit each country’s space program and better achieve that shared goal. To this end, Congress should eliminate barriers that impede non-sensitive space collaboration with China by removing or revising the Wolf Amendment.
Current U.S. law makes it illegal for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and National Space Council (NSpC) to work with any Chinese owned company without direct approval from the FBI and Congress. Known as the Wolf Amendment, this legislation acts as a barrier between U.S. agencies and China to work on space projects together. Though it does not outright ban the named U.S. agencies from working with China, the law is a significant ‘speedbump’ to collaboration by requiring investigations by the FBI and Congressional approval. The bill first passed through Congress in 2011 and has been added into NASA budget appropriations every year since. The original intent of the bill sought to stop human rights abuses by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), slow Chinese space exploration, and enhance U.S. security by preventing sensitive information transfers.
Events of the past 13 years since the first passage of the law display the amendment’s failure to achieve these goals. The CCP continues to commit human rights abuses throughout the country, China has become a prominent space actor with many international partners, and the United States is still worried about U.S. tech and data security from China. The law’s existence has not produced the desired outcomes and also gives China an avenue to criticize the U.S. government. China recently cited the law’s restrictions as a hurdle to its desire to work with U.S. space agencies on projects.
Some believe that while the Wolf Amendment may not have a positive impact on U.S. foreign policy, it also has not had a negative one. In a webinar about the impacts of the amendment, Scott Pace, director of George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute, comments that there is not a backlog of projects that NASA wants to work on with Chinese companies. He argues that changing or removing the amendment will not make a difference or is not necessary. The danger also remains that sensitive data could get transferred to China with a closer association.
These concerns, while important, should not lead the U.S. government to shy away from working with China on space projects. The United States has a history of international space collaboration, and its results have greatly benefited the country. Allowing, and even encouraging, collaboration with China can quicken and improve scientific development and provide a needed area of shared dialogue between two competing two nations. Additionally, more engagement with China’s space program can give the United States insight into its intentions and provide greater transparency to its program. It also benefits the United States to increase China’s presence in and commitment to space. Destruction in space is indiscriminate and one country’s attempt to destroy another’s technology can also impact and destroy its own space assets. As more of its satellites, space stations, and other technology enter space, China’s willingness to act destructively in space should diminish. As joint projects get underway, proper safeguards and oversight can be implemented to ensure that sensitive data is not leaked or shared. As space agencies have done in the past when working with other countries, such as Russia, maintaining national security will be the top priority and not compromised.
Victoria Samson, who focuses on the long-term sustainable use of outer space with Secure World Foundation, described it best, saying: “Engaging with China is critical to enable space operations so that space can continue to be used in a sustainable manner that is equitable and accessible for all.” Removing or changing the Wolf Amendment is a great first step to such engagement.
