US will now apply to study China’s moon rock samples: Nasa
www.scmp.com
In exception to congressional Wolf Amendment, the space agency is encouraging applications to its Chinese counterpart.
  • TWeaK@lemm.eeEnglish
    122·
    1 year ago

    South China Morning Post isn’t an amazingly trustworthy source, but it seems that they’re right in this instance. Though it’s annoying that they refuse to fully capitalise “NASA”.

    However, the approval is by no means formal. There’s no public statement from NASA or from NSPIRES, the division responsible for it, and it appears it’s just an internal email/statement telling scientists to put a claim in before the applications close on 22 Dec. As of yet, NASA have merely signalled their intent to Congress and told scientists to submit applications, it could well be that (the Republican controlled) Congress blocks it.

    Here’s another source: https://www.space.com/china-moon-samples-change-5-nasa-researchers

    • lolcatnip@reddthat.comEnglish
      3·
      1 year ago

      Though it’s annoying that they refuse to fully capitalise “NASA”.

      Not nearly as annoying as people who randomly capitalize three-letter words like cis or app.

    • teft@startrek.websiteEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      Republican controlled congress? They lead one chamber by a margin a 3 votes. Not really what I’d call control.

  • filoria@lemmy.mlOPEnglish
    6·
    1 year ago

    The Chang’e-5 samples originate from regions of the moon not yet sampled by NASA and are expected to provide valuable new scientific insight on the geological history of the moon, which could provide new understanding of the Earth-moon system and potentially inform NASA’s future lunar exploration plans. Applying for samples will ensure that United States researchers have the same research opportunities as scientists around the world