"We Don't Want to Get Scooped" On Going to the Moon, Says Dr. Asha M. George at Space Science Week

Why It Matters

Maintaining U.S. leadership in lunar and Martian missions safeguards scientific advantage, national security, and bio‑security while preventing rival nations from monopolizing critical space resources.

Key Takeaways

• US lunar mission driven by international competition and prestige
• China's Mars sample return accelerates American urgency for space leadership
• Planetary protection policies crucial for safe lunar and Martian exploration
• Bipartisan commission urges biosecurity focus in upcoming space missions
• National Academies supporting rapid US involvement to avoid being scooped

Summary

Dr. Asha M. George, representing a bipartisan commission on biodefense at the Atlantic Council, addressed the National Academies of Sciences during Space Science Week. She highlighted the administration’s renewed commitment to return humans to the Moon, framing the decision as a strategic response to accelerating activities by rival nations, particularly China.

George emphasized that the United States cannot afford to be “scooped” in space exploration. She noted China’s recent confirmation of a Mars sample‑return mission and warned that if the U.S. does not act swiftly, Beijing will secure the scientific prize. The discussion linked competitiveness with safety, underscoring the need for robust planetary‑protection protocols to prevent biological contamination of both extraterrestrial bodies and Earth.

Key remarks included, “We don’t want to get scooped,” and, “If we don’t do it, China is definitely going to do it.” These statements illustrate the urgency felt by policymakers and scientists alike. George also praised the National Academies for staying “right on top” of the issue, signaling strong institutional support for rapid policy implementation.

The implications are clear: the United States must accelerate lunar and Martian initiatives, integrate stringent bio‑security measures, and coordinate across bipartisan and scientific bodies. Failure to do so could cede scientific leadership, compromise planetary protection, and diminish national prestige in the emerging space economy.

Original Description

Asha M. George, director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, attended the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's (NASEM) Space Science Week 2026.

She reacts to recent news about the US going back to the Moon, biodefense and planetary protection considerations, Mars sample return, and the geopolitical implications regarding competitiveness with China.

George is a Member of the Committee on Planetary Protection (CoPP) within the Space Studies Board of the National Academies.