NASA Head Says It's Time to Cut Back on Astronaut Safety to Beat China to the Moon

"Lawmakers are growing concerned that China may beat the United States in the race back to the Moon - and acting NASA administrator Sean Duffy is willing to throw the agency's brave astronauts under the bus to make sure that doesn't happen. As NBC News reports, Duffy - who, in a puzzling double duty, also serves as the secretary of transportation - told employees during a town hall last week that "sometimes we can let safety be the enemy of making progress.""

""We have to be able to take some leaps," he said. "We have to be able to jump forward in our innovation and drive this mission, and there's always a balance to that, but we can't side on the side of doing nothing because we're afraid of any risk." The baffling remarks - which made it look like Duffy is trying to have it both ways,"

Lawmakers express growing concern that China may beat the United States in returning humans to the Moon. Acting NASA administrator Sean Duffy stated that safety can sometimes be the enemy of progress and urged taking leaps in innovation while also saying NASA should be safety-driven. Duffy holds a dual role as acting NASA administrator and secretary of transportation. Former NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine warned that the United States is unlikely to beat China’s projected lunar timeline unless something changes. NASA experienced operational chaos after presidential transition, remains without a permanent leader, and faces proposed deep cuts to its science directorate and staff reductions.

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