Washington D.C.: Acting Administrator Sean Duffy of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Monday signalled that the US space agency may open its Human Landing System (HLS) production contracts for the Artemis lunar programme to additional companies, including Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin. The move comes amid growing concerns over SpaceX’s ability to meet deadlines for the upcoming Artemis III mission.

Duffy, in a post on X, highlighted the importance of competition and innovation in maintaining US leadership in space exploration. “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, which will get U.S. astronauts there on Artemis III. But competition and innovation are the keys to our dominance in space, so NASA is opening up HLS production to Blue Origin and other great American companies,” he stated.

Concerns over SpaceX and Starship

NASA’s 2021 decision to award the HLS lunar lander contract to SpaceX, valued at USD 2.9 billion, has come under renewed scrutiny. Experts within the space industry have expressed concerns that the complexity of using SpaceX’s Starship system could delay Artemis III, potentially allowing China to reach the Moon first.

The Artemis III mission, aiming to land astronauts at the lunar South Pole, is scheduled for no earlier than mid-2027. However, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk dismissed concerns about delays, asserting that Starship would complete the mission successfully. Musk took to X, saying, “They won’t. SpaceX is moving like lightning compared to the rest of the space industry. Moreover, Starship will end up doing the whole Moon mission. Mark my words.”

Starship, still in an early stage of development, has experienced three in-flight failures and several successful suborbital tests in 2025. Despite these challenges, SpaceX remains the primary contractor to carry astronauts for Artemis III.

Blue Origin and competition

Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, is developing its own lunar lander, Blue Moon, and is expected to participate in later Artemis missions, including Artemis V. By opening the HLS contracts to additional companies, NASA hopes to encourage innovation, maintain momentum, and ensure that the US maintains a competitive edge in the intensifying space race with China.

NASA officials have expressed concern that delays in Artemis III could allow China to land taikonauts on the Moon before the United States. China has publicly set a target to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030. Lawmakers in the US have voiced growing urgency over adhering to the Artemis timeline, citing both technological and geopolitical considerations.

Conclusion

By expanding the Artemis HLS contracts, NASA is signalling a strategic pivot aimed at safeguarding the US lunar programme against delays. While SpaceX continues to lead the Artemis III mission, the inclusion of Blue Origin and potentially other companies could bolster innovation and ensure the United States remains competitive in the high-stakes race to the Moon. The next few years will be critical as Artemis III advances toward its targeted mid-2027 launch.