SpaceX Faces Delays in Artemis Moon Launch

In a move that could reshape the landscape of lunar exploration, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated on Monday that SpaceX is “behind” schedule on its Artemis program commitments, raising the possibility of opening up the lucrative contract to other contenders. Duffy, currently acting as NASA administrator, emphasized the urgency of the situation, framing the mission as a critical element in the burgeoning space race against China.

“We’re not going to wait for one company,” Duffy told CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “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.”

As of press time, SpaceX has not responded to requests for comment.

SpaceX is a key partner in NASA’s Artemis program, alongside industry stalwarts like Blue Origin, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. The ambitious initiative aims to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon as a stepping stone for future Mars missions. However, Duffy’s comments suggest a growing concern within the administration about potential delays and the strategic importance of adhering to the established timeline.

SpaceX secured a pivotal contract in 2021 to develop a lunar landing system for astronauts participating in the Artemis III mission. While the initial plan targeted a 2025 lunar landing, NASA has since revised the timeline, pushing back the launch to send astronauts around the moon to April 2026, and the lunar landing to 2027. These delays have amplified the pressure on SpaceX to deliver.

Duffy expressed optimism that the lunar flyby mission could be accelerated to February 2026. Crucially, he indicated his ambition “to get back to the moon in 2028” by leveraging the capabilities of multiple commercial partners. Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, has been specifically name-checked as a potential alternative. This shift in strategy reflects a broader move within NASA to diversify its partnerships and mitigate risks associated with relying on a single vendor.

“They push their timelines out, and we’re in a race against China,” Duffy said, explicitly addressing the tension between SpaceX’s development schedule and the national imperative to return to the Moon within a specific timeframe. “The president and I want to get to the moon in this president’s term, so I’m going to open up the contracts.”

The space exploration sector has consistently faced setbacks, including setbacks in the testing and development.

SpaceX’s Starship program, crucial for Artemis, has encountered a series of engineering challenges, including recent setbacks during testing initiatives which include explosions. This has spurred analysis on whether those are factors affecting schedules. While these explosions are part of iterative design of launch vehicles, NASA is potentially unwilling to be late due to the delays.

While Duffy publicly aired the possible government contract opening, the ongoing government shutdown casts a shadow over the expediency of any contract openings.

Previous CNBC reporting indicates that personnel will remain unaffected during the shutdown.