Scientists in the U.S. have warned that Asia could one day surpass the United States in space exploration with Russia celebrating the 50th anniversary of Sputnik's launch on Thursday.

According to AFP news agency, the scientists said that the U.S. could potentially face what they termed a ‘second Sputnik shock’ from Asian countries, naming China, Japan and India as potential rivals.

AFP cited a report published by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences which said that while 70-thousand scientists emerge in the United States each year, China and India outnumber them by at least three times.

India and China are both slated to launch lunar probes next year, and Japan successfully sent a satellite into the moon’s orbit last month.