China Shares Lunar Samples Globally—But Not with NASA

Nearly five years after China’s Chang’e 5 mission brought lunar soil back to Earth, the country is distributing samples to scientists around the world. Researchers in countries such as France, Germany, Japan, Pakistan, and the UK have received portions for analysis—yet NASA remains excluded due to a longstanding U.S. law that blocks direct cooperation with China’s space agency.

The Wolf Amendment: A Legal Wall Against Scientific Exchange

The obstacle is the Wolf Amendment, a 2011 U.S. law introduced by former Congressman Frank Wolf. It prohibits NASA and other federal agencies from using government funds for bilateral cooperation with the China National Space Administration (CNSA) unless explicitly approved by Congress and federal law enforcement.

Intended to protect U.S. scientific and technological advances from falling into the hands of China, the law also prevents NASA from accessing lunar material gathered by Chinese missions, even for scientific study.

U.S. Scientists Find Workarounds Using Non-Federal Funding

Despite the restriction, some U.S.-based researchers have managed to participate in studying Chang’e 5 samples by using non-federal funding. Institutions such as Brown University and Stony Brook University have received tiny amounts of the lunar soil, allowing them to conduct research without violating the law.

However, the process is complicated and far from ideal. Critics argue that the Wolf Amendment hampers scientific collaboration and may contribute to increased geopolitical tension, particularly as both China and the U.S. ramp up their lunar ambitions.

Groundbreaking Discoveries from Chang’e 5 Samples

The scientific value of the samples is already clear. Since their return to Earth:

• In 2022, researchers discovered helium-3, a rare isotope considered a potential fuel source for nuclear fusion.

• In 2023, scientists found water-bearing glass beads, created by asteroid impacts, offering insights into the Moon’s water cycle.

• Additional studies have supported the presence of lunar water, crucial for future lunar bases and exploration missions.

These breakthroughs highlight the importance of open access to extraterrestrial samples in advancing global knowledge.

China’s International Outreach Highlights NASA’s Isolation

By distributing samples to dozens of foreign researchers, China has presented itself as a willing partner in international space science. Frédéric Moynier, a cosmochemist in Paris, called his opportunity to study the samples a “great honor” and praised China’s leadership in fostering global collaboration.

In contrast, NASA remains isolated, constrained by domestic politics and unable to directly benefit from the latest lunar sample discoveries.

Looking Ahead: Cooperation or Continued Rivalry?

As space exploration becomes increasingly international, many scientists hope for greater collaboration between major spacefaring nations. The Moon is once again a central focus, with future missions planned by both China and the U.S.

Still, unless Congress reconsiders or revises the Wolf Amendment, NASA’s access to Chinese lunar samples will remain blocked, even as other countries continue to explore the mysteries of the Moon—together.