NASA Opens Moon Mission Contract to Blue Origin as Musk Pushes Back

In a major shake-up to America’s lunar ambitions, NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy announced that the agency will open its Human Landing System (HLS) production to new companies, including Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin. The decision follows concerns that SpaceX, which holds a $2.9 billion lunar lander contract, is falling behind schedule on the crucial Artemis Moon mission.

The NASA Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon before China, now faces renewed pressure as deadlines slip. NASA’s move to include Blue Origin signals a push for competition and innovation to keep pace in the growing space race.

Duffy stated on X, “We are in a race against China, so we need the best companies to operate at a speed that gets us to the Moon first. SpaceX has the contract to build the HLS for Artemis III, but competition and innovation are the keys to our dominance in space.”

NASA Raises Concerns Over SpaceX Delays

NASA’s Sean Duffy expressed frustration that SpaceX’s Starship program — the key to delivering the Artemis lunar lander — is behind schedule. The delay could endanger NASA’s goal to land humans on the Moon before China. Experts in the space industry have questioned whether SpaceX’s complex Starship system can meet NASA’s ambitious 2027 target for the Artemis III mission.

The Artemis III mission, which aims to send the first humans to the lunar South Pole, has already seen multiple timeline revisions. If SpaceX continues to lag, NASA’s reliance on a single private company could jeopardize the mission — prompting Duffy to open doors to Blue Origin and other American space firms.

Elon Musk Rejects NASA’s Worries

Responding to NASA’s move, Elon Musk swiftly dismissed the concerns. Taking to X, Musk wrote, “They won’t. SpaceX is moving like lightning compared to the rest of the space industry. Starship will end up doing the whole Moon mission. Mark my words.”

The SpaceX CEO defended his company’s progress, despite three Starship test failures in 2025. He insisted that SpaceX remains committed to delivering on NASA’s goals and outperforming global competitors. Musk’s remarks come amid tense relations with Washington, particularly after past funding disputes and public clashes with former U.S. President Donald Trump.

NASA’s Changing Space Strategy

If NASA revises or withdraws its SpaceX contract, it would mark a dramatic shift in strategy. Since 2021, SpaceX’s Starship has been the primary lunar lander for Artemis III, but setbacks have raised doubts. Meanwhile, Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander, awarded a NASA contract in 2023, is expected to support later Artemis missions like Artemis V.

NASA officials stress that collaboration, not rivalry, will strengthen America’s space exploration program. However, the Artemis timeline remains under scrutiny by U.S. lawmakers concerned that China’s lunar program, which aims for a 2030 Moon landing, could surpass the United States.

The Race for Lunar Leadership

The renewed NASA–SpaceX–Blue Origin dynamic highlights a new phase in the global space race. As China accelerates its lunar goals and private space companies compete for dominance, NASA must balance innovation, risk, and reliability.

The question now is whether SpaceX’s Starship can deliver on its promise before Blue Origin and other competitors seize the opportunity. The Artemis Moon mission, a symbol of U.S. scientific leadership, now hinges on who can turn technology into triumph — and get America back to the Moon first.