NASA is taking steps to introduce competition for its critical contract to transport astronauts to the moon—a direct response to delays experienced by Elon Musk’s SpaceX and its Starship spacecraft. Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy confirmed in a Fox News interview that the agency is in the process of “opening that contract up,” aiming to foster a “space race” among American companies to accelerate the return to the lunar surface. This decision highlights growing concerns within the Trump administration regarding the United States’ progress in human space exploration, especially given China’s advancements in the race to the moon after more than half a century.

Duffy expressed admiration for SpaceX as an “amazing company” but candidly noted its shortcomings, stating, “The problem is they’re behind. They’ve pushed their timelines out, and we’re in a race against China.” SpaceX was previously awarded contracts totaling approximately $4 billion to adapt its Starship vehicle into a lunar lander capable of carrying NASA astronauts to the moon, with an initial target of 2027. However, the exact nature of “opening up” the contract, whether it involves a new bidding process or a reallocation of funds, remains unspecified by Duffy, and NASA has not provided any immediate further comment.

SpaceX secured its initial lunar lander contract in 2021, prevailing over two other finalists. In 2023, NASA also awarded Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin a separate contract valued at $3.4 billion for the development of its own lunar lander. Blue Origin’s vehicle is currently slated for its first human mission to the moon by 2029, and while it is unclear whether this timeline can be accelerated, a company spokesperson affirmed their readiness to support NASA’s new competitive initiatives.

Despite a recent, mostly successful test of its Starship rocket earlier this month, SpaceX faces a formidable list of technological hurdles before achieving a lunar landing. Chief among these challenges is demonstrating and mastering in-orbit refueling of Starship, along with the necessity of launching the vehicle a dozen or more times consecutively. This presents a daunting prospect, especially as Starship has yet to complete a full orbital mission. Duffy reiterated that fostering this competition is crucial for the U.S. to ensure it reaches the moon before China, adding that he anticipates Blue Origin’s active participation in this renewed contest.

In parallel with these developments, NASA plans to launch astronauts on a mission around the moon—known as Artemis II—as early as next year. While the lunar landing with SpaceX’s Starship is still officially targeted for 2027, many critics remain skeptical that the company’s ambitious vehicle will be ready within this timeframe.