Transportation Secretary and performing NASA administrator Sean Duffy stated on Monday (October 20) that SpaceX is falling delayed within the US plan to return astronauts to the Moon below the Artemis program.
Duff, chatting with CNBC, stated the federal government would open the lunar contract to different firms to make sure the US maintains its lead in what he described as a “second house race” with China.
“We’re not going to attend for one firm,” Duffy stated. “We’re going to push this ahead and win the second house race towards the Chinese language. Get again to the moon, arrange a camp, a base.”
SpaceX going through delays
Duffy stated SpaceX, which holds the Artemis III lunar touchdown contract, has pushed again its challenge timelines, prompting issues about delays. “They push their timelines out, and we’re in a race towards China,” he stated. “The president and I wish to get to the moon on this president’s time period, so I’m going to open up the contracts.”
Whereas Duffy praised the corporate’s achievements, he made clear that progress has stalled. “By the best way, I really like SpaceX — it’s a tremendous firm,” he stated. “The issue is that they’re behind.”
Blue Origin might step in
Duffy talked about Blue Origin as a possible contender to take over key Artemis duties, including that the company was evaluating choices to maintain its accelerated schedule. He revealed that NASA has moved up its subsequent Artemis mission from April 2026 to February 2026, with a goal of returning to the lunar floor by 2028.
“I believe the April launch can occur in early February,” Duffy stated. “We’re seeking to get again to the moon in 2028 with two potential firms.”
Artemis and delays
The Artemis program, launched throughout Donald Trump’s first time period, goals to determine a long-term human presence on the Moon as a stepping stone for future missions to Mars. SpaceX gained the 2021 contract to supply the lunar touchdown system for Artemis III, the primary deliberate crewed moon touchdown in over 50 years.
Nevertheless, in December 2024, NASA postponed a number of Artemis missions, pushing the following crewed orbit mission to April 2026 and delaying the lunar touchdown to 2027 attributable to security opinions and technical challenges.
Musk-Trump tensions
Elon Musk, SpaceX’s CEO, was as soon as an in depth ally of President Donald Trump, serving as head of the so-called Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE). However relations have cooled in current months amid disputes over Trump’s tax and spending invoice, which Musk criticized.
In June, the White Home withdrew Jared Isaacman’s nomination to guide NASA — a transfer extensively seen as a part of the administration’s effort to distance the house company from Musk’s affect.
Duffy, already confirmed as Transportation Secretary, was appointed interim NASA chief as an alternative.
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