Space race 2.0? US' lunar return gathers urgency, courtesy China

EYEING A MOONSHOT: The return capsule of China's Shenzhou-13 manned space mission is seen after landing, in this April 16 photo. The US is wary of China taking the lead in space exploration that would put Beijing ahead in power in space and in prestige on Earth

It's not just rocket fuel propelling America's first moonshot after a half-century lull. Strategic rivalry with China's space programme is helping drive Nasa's effort to get back into space in a bigger way, as both nations push to put people back on the moon and establish the first lunar bases.

American intelligence, military and political leaders make clear they see a host of strategic challenges to the US in China's space programme, in an echo of the US-Soviet rivalry that prompted the 1960s' race to the moon.