Core Points - Elon Musk criticized NASA's acting administrator Sean Duffy for delays in the U.S. lunar return program, specifically regarding SpaceX's work on the Artemis III lunar landing system [2][3] - Duffy indicated that SpaceX's progress is behind schedule and mentioned the possibility of contracting competitors like Blue Origin [3][5] - NASA is seeking proposals from SpaceX and Blue Origin to accelerate the project by October 29 [3][6] Group 1 - Sean Duffy was appointed as NASA's acting administrator by President Donald Trump, filling a position that had been vacant since the beginning of Trump's term [4] - The Artemis program, initiated during Trump's first term, aims to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon for scientific exploration and technology development [5][6] - SpaceX won a $2.9 billion contract in 2021 to develop technologies for the Artemis program, competing with other contractors like Blue Origin, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing [5][6] Group 2 - The Artemis program has faced multiple setbacks, with the first mission launched in November 2022 and subsequent delays affecting the planned missions [6] - NASA plans to conduct its first crewed Artemis launch in April 2026 and aims to send two astronauts to the Moon in 2027 [6] - Ongoing government shutdowns are impacting NASA's operations, potentially delaying all restart contracts, although exceptions have been made for Artemis mission employees and contractors [7]