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sunexpress.com and secure your seats today it's tuesday january 3rd 20 2023. I'm Jackson Bird. Today, are we at the beginning of a new space race?

NASA administrator Bill Nelson thinks we are. Plus, why the father of genetics Gregor Mendel's

skeleton was dug up last year. And a chance to read history's most

famous diarist's words in real time over the next decade. Here's some cool stuff for your ride

home. NASA administrator Bill Nelson made headlines over the weekend for stating in an interview with Politico

that the U.S. is now in a space race with China. He told the publication, quote,

It's a fact. We're in a space race. And it is true that we better watch out that they don't get to a place on the moon under the guise of

scientific research. And it's not beyond the realm of possibility that they say, keep out,

we're here. This is our territory. End quote. Nelson's comments come off the back of China's

year-end announcement of their long-term goals. Those goals, presented by the nation's

main space contractor, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, or CASC,

include a crude lunar landing by 2030, developing lunar transportation, space infrastructure,

and a space governance system. They also plan to continue building out their new space infrastructure, and a space governance system.

They also plan to continue building out their new space station,

establish an autonomous lunar research station by 2025, and launch a Mars sample return mission in the next decade or so.

China's Zhurong rover is currently on Mars studying its topography, geology,

and atmosphere. Quoting space news, the plans are presented as following a strategic plan of

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