NASA is exploring partnerships with additional companies for its crewed lunar program due to concerns regarding SpaceX’s timeline. Sean Duffy, the interim head of NASA and transportation secretary, stated in a CNBC interview that the agency will not rely solely on one company as it advances its Artemis program aimed at returning astronauts to the moon.
Duffy mentioned that SpaceX had been awarded the Artemis III contract, intended for the upcoming crewed moon mission. While he expressed admiration for SpaceX, he emphasized that the company is currently behind on its schedule, impacting NASA’s goals amid increasing competition, particularly from China.
In response to the delays, Duffy indicated that NASA would open up contracts to other space firms, inviting competition from companies such as Blue Origin. The Artemis program, which aims to revive efforts to send humans back to the moon, originates from directives issued during Donald Trump’s presidency, following a hiatus since the last crewed moon mission in 1972.
In 2021, NASA contracted SpaceX for $2.89 billion to design a landing system using the Starship rocket for transportation to the moon’s surface. NASA is also collaborating with other commercial entities including Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman for additional project components. However, SpaceX’s role is critical as the developer of the landing system.
NASA has encountered delays, recently rescheduling its next Artemis mission to April 2026, with the moon landing now set for mid-2027. SpaceX’s Starship has faced several launch failures since its initial testing began in 2023.
Additionally, tensions arose between Musk and Trump, particularly following disagreements on fiscal policies. In June, the White House rescinded the nomination of billionaire Jared Isaacman, a Musk associate, for the head of NASA, promoting Duffy to this role instead. Recently, Duffy announced plans to accelerate the Artemis timeline, aiming for a February 2026 launch, as part of the broader goal to re-establish a human presence on the moon.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/oct/20/nasa-moon-program-elon-musk-spacex