NASA局长：就你这进度，怎么抢在中国前面…

Core Viewpoint - NASA's lunar program is facing delays, prompting the agency to consider opening contracts to other companies to ensure a timely return to the Moon ahead of China [1][2][4]. Group 1: NASA's Lunar Program - NASA's Artemis mission aims for a long-term human presence on the Moon and preparation for Mars exploration, with the Artemis III mission scheduled for 2027 [1][6]. - The Artemis III mission was initially planned for 2024 but has been delayed to 2027 due to various setbacks, including issues with SpaceX's Starship [5][6]. - NASA's acting administrator, Sean Duffy, has expressed urgency in competing with China for lunar exploration, indicating a willingness to replace SpaceX with other contractors if necessary [2][4]. Group 2: SpaceX's Role - SpaceX was awarded a $2.9 billion contract to provide the Human Landing System (HLS) for the Artemis III mission, but progress has been slow, with multiple flight failures since 2025 [1][5]. - Elon Musk has defended SpaceX's progress, claiming it is significantly faster than competitors and asserting confidence in the Starship's eventual success [5]. Group 3: Competitors and Industry Dynamics - Other companies, including Blue Origin, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, are also involved in supporting NASA's Artemis program [4]. - Duffy has hinted at the possibility of Blue Origin taking over SpaceX's role if they can deliver results more quickly [2][4]. - NASA is actively seeking proposals from SpaceX and Blue Origin to accelerate the development of the lunar lander by October 29 [5]. Group 4: China's Lunar Program - In contrast to the challenges faced by NASA, China's lunar exploration program is progressing steadily, with plans for a manned lunar landing by 2030 [8]. - China's advancements include successful tests of the Long March 10 rocket and ongoing development of various lunar mission components [8].