SpaceX Proposes Simplified Moon-Landing Plan to NASA as Criticism Mounts

SpaceX has presented NASA with a streamlined mission plan for its lunar lander Starship. The proposal aims to accelerate the trip back to the Moon while boosting crew safety. 

The move comes amid rising pressure on NASA to beat China in landing Americans on the lunar surface and concerns over Starship’s delayed development. 

Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy signaled the agency might reopen the lander contract to competitors if progress doesn’t pick up. SpaceX, under contract since 2021 for the Artemis III mission, has launched 11 Starship test flights so far — but key milestones remain unmet. 

SpaceX stressed its track record of achieving dozens of milestones and said it plans major tests next year to demonstrate in-space refuelling — a critical capability for Starship’s lunar missions. 

While the suggested simplification could reduce mission complexity, analysts hail the Moon push as not only a technical challenge but also a geopolitical one. As China advances its own lunar ambitions, NASA’s urgency is amplified.