Core Viewpoint - NASA's manned lunar landing program is facing significant delays, primarily due to challenges with the SpaceX "Starship" system, which may not be ready until 2028 or 2029 [4][6][10]. Group 1: NASA's Lunar Program Challenges - NASA's selection of SpaceX's "Starship" for the Human Landing System (HLS) has encountered major difficulties, leading to potential delays in the lunar landing timeline [4][6]. - The Artemis program's focus on the lunar south pole and the associated Gateway space station has added complexity to the HLS, requiring more intricate maneuvers compared to previous lunar missions [10][11]. - NASA's decision to procure HLS through commercial means was intended to reduce costs and political risks, but it has resulted in increased complexity and challenges in execution [12][24]. Group 2: Historical Context and Previous Plans - The Artemis program is built on a history of lunar exploration efforts, including the 2005 Constellation program, which faced financial and technical challenges leading to its cancellation in 2010 [7][9]. - The Space Launch System (SLS) was developed as a successor to earlier plans, but its high costs and slow production have raised concerns about its effectiveness in supporting lunar missions [9][10]. Group 3: SpaceX's "Starship" Development Issues - The "Starship" system has faced significant weight issues, with its current versions underperforming in terms of payload capacity compared to initial claims [24][25]. - The complexity of in-orbit refueling and the need for multiple launches to support a single HLS mission have raised concerns about the feasibility of the "Starship" system [25][27]. - SpaceX's timeline for achieving a manned lunar landing has been pushed back, with the need for extensive testing and validation before the 2028 target [28][37]. Group 4: Competitive Landscape - Blue Origin has been awarded a second HLS contract for the "Blue Moon Mk2" lander, aimed at enhancing competition and reducing costs for NASA's lunar missions [28][29]. - The "Blue Moon Mk1" lander is set to launch in 2026, with plans for a crewed version under consideration, indicating a potential alternative to SpaceX's "Starship" [33][35].