Overview
- The agency confirmed it received acceleration plans from both companies, will assemble a committee of subject‑matter experts, and plans a broader industry request for information.
- In a new post, SpaceX said it has completed 49 Human Landing System milestones and is formally assessing a simplified mission architecture, with most milestones verified on or ahead of schedule.
- SpaceX targets a long‑duration orbital flight and an in‑space propellant transfer demonstration in 2026 to tackle a critical capability that NASA officials said has slipped.
- Acting Administrator Sean Duffy has signaled he will open the Artemis III lander award to competition due to schedule concerns and the goal of outpacing a projected Chinese crewed lunar landing around 2030.
- Former NASA chiefs Jim Bridenstine and Charlie Bolden urged alternative approaches and rapid‑acceleration authorities, while Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin outlined concepts for potentially faster or lower‑risk landers.