- The U.S. government may invite new companies to compete for NASA’s Artemis moon mission contract.
- SpaceX is currently behind schedule for the Artemis program, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
- The move aims to accelerate plans to return American astronauts to the moon, aligning with President Donald Trump’s goal to achieve this during his current term.
- Blue Origin and another undisclosed company are being considered as possible new participants.
- The mission deadline could be advanced to February 2026, while the lunar landing was recently postponed to 2027.
The U.S. government is considering opening its Artemis moon mission contract to additional companies after delays from current contractor SpaceX. The decision comes as officials aim to speed up efforts to return American astronauts to the moon.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a CNBC interview that SpaceX is behind the current schedule for NASA’s Artemis mission. Duffy announced that other firms could be brought in to ensure timelines are met.
“We’re going to push this forward and win the second space race against the Chinese. Get back to the moon, set up a camp, a base,” Duffy stated during the interview. He added that the contract expansion is also motivated by President Donald Trump’s desire to return the U.S. to the moon within his term.
Duffy highlighted two companies being considered as potential participants, naming Blue Origin—founded by Jeff Bezos—as one contender. The government may invite a second, unnamed company into the process.
Currently, NASA’s schedule requires sending two astronauts around the moon and back to Earth by April 2026. However, Duffy said this could move up to February. The mission to put astronauts on the south pole of the moon remains scheduled for 2027, following a recent postponement announced in December.
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