NASA opens SpaceX’s moon lander contract to rivals amid Starship delays, sparking new competition for Artemis 3 mission

NASA has signalled a significant change in its lunar exploration plans by opening the prestigious US moon landing contract to additional bidders. The decision comes amid growing delays with SpaceX ’s Starship lunar lander, which was originally selected in 2021 to carry astronauts back to the Moon under the Artemis 3 mission. Acting NASA administrator Sean Duffy indicated that rivals such as Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, and potentially other aerospace companies, could now compete for the mission, introducing a new level of competition. This shift reflects increasing pressure on NASA to maintain progress in the Artemis programme, particularly as China advances its own lunar ambitions. The move aims to ensure the US achieves a timely and successful return to the Moon. The Artemis program