“终于从中国借到了月壤，NASA却…”

Core Viewpoint - The China National Space Administration (CNSA) has approved international applications for lunar samples from the Chang'e 5 mission, allowing seven institutions from six countries, including two U.S. universities, to borrow these samples. However, U.S. researchers face restrictions due to the "Wolf Amendment," which prohibits NASA funding for projects involving Chinese lunar samples [1][6][7]. Group 1: International Collaboration - The approved institutions include the University of Brown and Stony Brook University, both receiving NASA funding, but they cannot use these funds for research on the Chinese samples due to the "Wolf Amendment" [1][6]. - Timothy Glotch from Stony Brook University expressed gratitude for funding from his institution to collaborate with Chinese scientists, indicating a willingness to analyze the samples despite the restrictions [3][4]. - CNSA Administrator Zhang Zhongde emphasized the importance of sharing lunar research for the benefit of humanity, stating that the Chang'e program is open to international collaboration [6][8]. Group 2: Research Objectives - Glotch aims to compare the properties of lunar soil and rock samples with those from the Apollo program, focusing on thermal properties and magnetic characteristics to understand the geological history of the Moon [4][6]. - The research will involve examining ultra-thin rock slices under high magnification to uncover clues about the origin and composition of the rocks, contributing to a better understanding of lunar geology [4][6]. Group 3: U.S.-China Relations in Space - The "Wolf Amendment" has hindered U.S. scientists' access to Chinese lunar samples and vice versa, with Chinese scientists facing difficulties in obtaining Apollo samples from NASA [4][7]. - There have been ongoing discussions between U.S. and Chinese space officials regarding the sharing of lunar samples, but U.S. institutions still face significant domestic obstacles to receiving the samples [7][8]. - Wu Weiren, a prominent figure in China's lunar exploration program, criticized the U.S. for its isolationist policies and expressed a desire for more open communication and collaboration in space exploration [8].