NASA Reviews New Proposals From SpaceX and Blue Origin to Accelerate Moon Landing Plans

NASA is evaluating fresh proposals from SpaceX and Blue Origin that aim to shorten the timeline for returning U.S. astronauts to the lunar surface, according to the agency. The reviews follow concerns raised by Acting Administrator Sean Duffy over schedule delays affecting the Artemis III mission, which is intended to conduct the first crewed Moon landing of the Artemis program.

SpaceX, the prime contractor for the initial Artemis III lunar landing system, submitted what it described as a “simplified mission architecture” designed to improve crew safety and cut overall mission time. The company outlined its update in a blog post released Thursday. Blue Origin, which holds a separate Human Landing System (HLS) contract for later Artemis flights, delivered its own acceleration plan before a NASA deadline set for Oct. 29.

A NASA spokesperson stated that internal subject-matter experts are forming a committee to study each plan. In addition, once the current federal government shutdown ends, the agency intends to publish a request for information (RFI) to the wider aerospace industry. The move could reopen competition for elements of Artemis III, a scenario Duffy mentioned earlier this month when he said that SpaceX’s development effort was behind schedule.

Development milestones and funding status

Under its $4.5 billion fixed-price contract, SpaceX receives payments after reaching predefined milestones covering design, manufacturing, testing, launch and demonstration of its Starship-based lander. Federal contract data indicate that NASA has already disbursed roughly $2.7 billion, with about $300 million more obligated for recent milestones. SpaceX said it has financed “90 percent or more” of the program on its own, implying internal expenditures exceeding $30 billion.

Blue Origin, selected in May 2023 to develop a separate lander for later Artemis missions, has obtained about $835 million to date. The company plans an initial uncrewed demonstration using a reduced-scale vehicle named Blue Moon Mark 1 before building its full-size variant for crew operations.

Starship test campaign

SpaceX’s Starship system has completed 11 uncrewed flight tests. The most recent two launches met primary objectives, according to company statements, but the integrated vehicle has not yet demonstrated the in-orbit propellant transfer capability required for lunar operations. NASA’s contract with SpaceX specifies that multiple refueling flights and a crewed lunar descent must occur successfully before the spacecraft can be certified for Artemis III.

Public remarks and rising competition

Duffy’s comments on national television—where he cautioned that schedule slips could jeopardize the United States’ goal of returning humans to the Moon ahead of China—drew an immediate reaction from SpaceX founder Elon Musk. Posting on the social platform X, Musk used disparaging language, calling the acting administrator “Sean Dummy” and suggesting that the head of the U.S. space program “can’t have a 2-digit IQ.”

The heightened scrutiny comes as China advances its own crewed lunar ambitions. Beijing has targeted the end of the decade for a human landing and continues to expand activities aboard the Tiangong space station. During an internal agency meeting in September, Duffy referenced congressional testimony in which U.S. lawmakers questioned whether NASA could land astronauts before China, a point he said had “thrown shade” on the agency’s efforts.

Impact of the government shutdown

The current federal shutdown has forced some NASA personnel supporting Artemis to work without pay. Despite the lapse in appropriations, contract work by commercial partners continues under previously authorized funding. The forthcoming RFI to industry will be issued once normal government operations resume, the agency said.

Imagem: Internet

Next steps for Artemis III

NASA has not specified a revised launch date for Artemis III, which was most recently targeted for late 2025. Schedule confidence hinges on completion of key demonstrations by SpaceX, including orbital refueling, life-support validation and a full-duration lunar landing rehearsal. The agency’s review of the new proposals will determine whether additional providers are integrated into the mission architecture.

For background on the Artemis program’s objectives and timelines, NASA maintains an overview page detailing planned missions and hardware milestones (NASA Artemis overview).

Blue Origin’s plan to accelerate its lander production has not been publicly detailed. However, officials have previously said the company plans to leverage existing work on its BE-7 engine and lunar cargo lander to shorten development cycles. Any changes approved by NASA could be incorporated into later Artemis flights, beginning with Artemis V.

Beyond the lunar landing systems, NASA must integrate the Orion crew vehicle, the Space Launch System rocket and supporting ground infrastructure to meet Artemis III requirements. Each component carries its own schedule risk, making coordination with commercial partners crucial to the overall timeline.

While SpaceX and Blue Origin remain the primary U.S. contractors for lunar surface operations, other companies are positioning to compete under the forthcoming RFI. The additional industry input is expected to inform NASA’s strategy for sustaining a long-term human presence on the Moon and ultimately supporting future missions to Mars.

Crédito da imagem: Gabriel V. Cardenas / AFP / Getty Images