NASA Considers Opening SpaceX’s Lunar Lander Contract Amid Delays
NASA is reevaluating SpaceX's exclusive contract for the Human Landing System (HLS) due to persistent delays in Starship development. Acting administrator Sean Duffy confirmed the agency may open the contract to competitors, citing concerns over China's advancing space program. "We're going to have a space race among American companies," Duffy told CNBC, emphasizing the urgency of the Artemis moon mission timeline.
SpaceX's 2021 contract for a lunar-adapted Starship faces uncertainty as technical hurdles push schedules. The move reflects growing pressure from the TRUMP administration to maintain U.S. leadership in space exploration. While Duffy praised SpaceX as "an amazing company," he noted their timelines no longer align with NASA's strategic objectives against China's accelerating capabilities.