The space agency NASA might replace SpaceX with another company for upcoming lunar landing missions this decade, according to recent television statements by interim space agency administrator Sean Duffy.

Duffy expressed worries about SpaceX's advancement on its $2.9 billion agreement to create the Starship spacecraft for NASA's Artemis III mission, which will transport astronauts to the lunar surface, falling behind its intended timeline. This setback, according to Duffy, threatens NASA's goal to put humans back on the moon ahead of China in the current space competition.

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In April 2021, NASA granted SpaceX the Artemis III agreement, choosing Starship for the landmark lunar landing operation. By 2025, Starship continues to be in preliminary development phases, recording three flight mishaps along with several successful suborbital test missions, according to reports.

Duffy's remarks emerge while space sector experts increasingly question NASA's 2021 choice. Detractors contend that Starship's complicated operational requirements might threaten the mission and cause the US to lose its advantage in lunar exploration.

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NASA presently schedules the Artemis III lunar mission for no sooner than mid-2027, representing the first human moon landing in more than five decades.

 

Although the specific timeframe for NASA to possibly modify its SpaceX agreement or engage a different contractor stays uncertain, Duffy mentioned he's "working on opening that contract up," speaking about the Artemis lunar vehicle deal.

NASA has already secured a backup contractor through Blue Origin, the aerospace company established by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Blue Origin is constructing a spacecraft named Blue Moon, planned to assist future missions in the program, including Artemis V.

NASA's press secretary Bethany Stevens announced that the space agency has allocated a deadline of October 29th for both SpaceX and Blue Origin to submit their proposed methods for expediting lunar lander development.

Under questioning, Duffy indicated that Blue Origin might have the capability to replace SpaceX's role in the Artemis III mission. Nevertheless, he cautioned that the competitive process may also include companies that currently lack existing agreements.

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“If SpaceX is behind, but Blue Origin can do it before them, good on Blue Origin,” Duffy said. “But … we’re not going to wait for one company. We’re going to push this forward and win the second space race against the Chinese”.

Space industry experts remain cautious, noting that both SpaceX’s Starship and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon are complex and may need to be refueled in orbit