NASA May Open Artemis 3 Contract as SpaceX Faces Delays

NASA is reconsidering its partnership with SpaceX for the upcoming Artemis 3 mission, potentially opening the contract to other space companies. This development follows concerns over delays in the development of SpaceX’s lunar lander, which was contracted to deliver astronauts to the moon for the first time in over fifty years. According to acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy, the agency is dissatisfied with the current pace of SpaceX’s progress.

During an appearance on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on October 20, Duffy stated, “The problem is, they’re behind. They’ve pushed their timelines out, and we’re in a race against China.” He emphasized the urgency of the mission, noting that both he and the President aim to achieve a lunar landing within the current administration’s term. As a result, he announced plans to allow other companies, such as Blue Origin, to compete for the contract.

Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, received its own Artemis Human Landing System contract in 2023, worth $3.4 billion. The company intends to utilize its Blue Moon lander for its mission, which is expected to launch during Artemis 5. In response to the competition, Elon Musk expressed skepticism about Blue Origin’s ability to meet the timeline for a crewed lunar mission, stating that the company has yet to deliver a “useful payload” to orbit.

The Artemis 3 mission’s timeline has faced multiple adjustments over the years due to various factors, including ongoing issues with spacesuits, the NASA Orion capsule, and other technological developments. Originally slated for late 2024, the launch date has now shifted to 2025, then to September 2026, and subsequently to mid-2027. Duffy indicated that NASA may be eyeing an even later target, suggesting that 2028 could be the new goal for Artemis 3.

This mission follows the successful launch of Artemis 1, which sent an uncrewed Orion spacecraft to the moon and back in late 2022. Currently, NASA is preparing for the Artemis 2 mission, which aims to launch four astronauts on a ten-day journey around the moon, scheduled for as early as February 2024.

As SpaceX continues its development of the Starship, the company has completed 11 suborbital test flights, with its most recent launches on August 26 and October 13 proving successful. Duffy’s remarks also highlight the competitive landscape, as China has announced its intentions to land astronauts on the moon by 2030, making significant strides toward that objective.

The Artemis program represents a pivotal step for NASA in its efforts to return humans to the lunar surface, with a focus on sustainable exploration and preparation for future missions to Mars. As the landscape evolves, the role of private contractors like SpaceX and Blue Origin will be crucial in shaping the future of space exploration.