British professor spoke about a possible conflict between the US and China for resources in space

(ORDO NEWS) — The US and China are competing for a landing site on the surface of the Moon, which could lead to the first conflict over resources outside the Earth.

This was announced by Christopher Newman, professor of space law and politics at the British Northumbrian University, to SpaceNews.

According to the publication, China and the United States have identified potential landing sites at the Moon’s South Pole, while their plans partially overlap.

It’s not hard to see why they both want the same sites, as those sites are “the best lunar real estate to use on-site resources,” Prof. Newman said.

“This could be the first potential point of conflict over resources outside of Earth,” he said.

As the professor said, both sides signed the Outer Space Treaty, therefore they nominally accept the rule of using celestial bodies for peaceful purposes. It will be interesting to see what happens in the end, he notes.

Newman emphasized that much will depend on who gets to these points first.

“This could add an undesirable element of competition that threatens security both in space and on Earth,” he concludes.

The article also indicated that US and Chinese landing plans are likely to be revised as their respective missions approach.

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