The Next Space Race and where is the United States?

Once upon a time, the United States led the world in the automotive industry. Not as much now.

Once upon a time, the United States led the world in the communications industry. Not as much now.

Once upon a time, the United States led the world in the computing industry? Not as much now.

Once upon a time, the United States led the world in the outer space industry? Wait a minute.

The United States lead in various sectors was bound to wane after the immediate Post War (World War Two and later Cold War) eras as other nations (Japan and Germany) and regional blocs (The European Union) caught up and revitalized their economic sectors. Furthermore, new economic giants like China, Taiwan, and  India would be bound to rise and make to make their mark.

It is China and India that is now making its mark in the heavens. It would be wrong to say that these nations are not entitled to harness their technologies in reaching for the stars. What is wrong is that the United States is losing its competitive focus in space exploration. It needs to find that and take its place among the other space daring nations. With less technologies, the combined drives of the Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon Administrations put humanity on the Moon in less than nine years. Why with considerably greater technological equipment can we not challenge ourselves and get to Mars in the same amount of time? WE CAN DO BETTER.

https://news.vice.com/story/the-next-space-race-india-and-china-challenge-u-s-and-russian-dominance