New NASA Lunar Contest Could Pit Elon Musk Against Jeff Bezos
The US space agency has reopened the competition for its lunar lander program, previously held by SpaceX. This marks a new phase in the global race between the United States and China to be the first to return humans to the Moon after more than fifty years.
Rivalry Among American Innovators
Beyond the geopolitical contest, a fresh rivalry is emerging among American private companies over who will design and build the next-generation lunar landing vehicle. The renewed competition could set tech magnates Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos on a collision course in the latest chapter of the space race.
Dispute Within NASA Leadership
The decision to reopen the contract has already triggered tensions. A
“war of words”between Elon Musk and NASA’s acting chief, Sean Duffy, has revealed deeper divisions about the direction and leadership of the agency’s lunar ambitions.
Background: The Artemis III Contract
In April 2021, SpaceX was initially awarded a contract to develop the lunar lander for NASA’s Artemis III mission—the first planned return of American astronauts to the lunar surface since Apollo 17 in 1972. The lander design is based on the company’s experimental Starship vehicle, developed in south Texas.
Progress and Setbacks
Since April 2023, SpaceX has conducted eleven Starship test flights. Flights in August and October 2025 achieved success, though three earlier missions saw failures in the upper stage, the section meant to transport astronauts. Despite mixed results, SpaceX continues to refine the system amid intensifying competition.
Mounting Pressure From China
China’s expanding lunar program adds urgency to American efforts. As Beijing pursues dominance on the Moon, NASA faces increasing pressure to accelerate progress, though assessments of success remain partly subjective.
On October 20, Sean Duffy announced the decision to open SpaceX’s existing contract, valued at over four billion US dollars, to other competitors, signaling a bold shift in NASA’s approach to lunar exploration.
Author’s summary: NASA’s reopening of its lunar lander contract renews both international and domestic rivalries, setting Musk and Bezos on course for a defining contest in the modern space race.