NASA Issues Stern Message To SpaceX Over Moon Lander Delay In Space Race With China

Unabashedly lighting the fire under SpaceX, acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy announced on Monday that the agency is opening its high-profile Artemis III human lunar landing contract to new bidders. The $4.4 billion contract, initially awarded exclusively to Elon Musk’s SpaceX in 2021, will now be open to rivals, such as Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, due to what Duffy deemed "behind schedule" progress on the Starship lunar lander.

Duffy's announcement comes as America’s space strategy comes under increasing pressure to ensure a timely return to the lunar surface. Duffy, serving also as the U.S. Transportation Secretary, made it clear that the agency’s hand was forced by two factors: development delays and the intensifying geopolitical space race.

"The problem is, they’re behind," stated Duffy, referring to SpaceX's development timeline. While praising SpaceX as an "amazing company," the administrator emphasized the urgency of the ...