NASA has awarded multi-billion-dollar contracts to both Blue Origin and SpaceX to transport Artemis astronauts to the Moon’s surface in the 2020s. This move marks a significant escalation in the space race between these two private companies, each vying to be the first to set foot on the lunar surface.
SpaceX’s Starship is currently under development and has undergone several successful test flights, including its fifth flight test that played out almost flawlessly. However, critics argue that its complex design could lead to delays in its maiden voyage to the Moon.
On the other hand, Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket has recently completed a series of tests, including the practice firing of seven massive liquid methane- and oxygen-fueled engines. The company is also developing its lunar lander, Blue Moon, which aims to land an uncrewed prototype on the lunar surface in 2025.
Professor Kip Hodges, a leading space scholar, believes that New Glenn’s simplicity could give it an edge over Starship in reaching the Moon first. However, he acknowledges that Starship’s advanced technology and high-speed evolution capabilities make it a formidable opponent.
Meanwhile, NASA is also developing its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion capsule, but critics argue that its cost-plus contracting structure could hinder the agency’s ability to sustain long-term human exploration goals for the Moon and Mars. Inspector General Paul Martin has testified before Congress that relying on SLS could lead to delays and increased costs.
As the competition between SpaceX, Blue Origin, and NASA intensifies, it is likely that the use of commercial rockets will drive down launch rates and make lunar travel more affordable. The agency may need to reassess its plans and consider using commercial alternatives like Starship to carry humans to the Moon and beyond.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinholdenplatt/2024/12/31/space-billionaires-count-down-to-their-rocket-race-to-the-moon