During a recent discussion at the American Astronautical Society”s 2025 von Braun Space Exploration Symposium in Huntsville, Alabama, two former NASA administrators expressed their concerns regarding the agency”s plans for the Artemis Moon landing. Charlie Bolden, who led NASA from 2009 to 2017, and Jim Bridenstine, administrator from 2018 to 2021, discussed the complexities associated with the ongoing development of SpaceX”s Starship for lunar missions.
The conversation, moderated by Mike French, founder of the Space Policy Group, came in response to a significant announcement made by NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy. Duffy revealed plans to reopen the competition for the Human Landing System (HLS) contract that had previously been awarded to SpaceX in 2021.
Bridenstine emphasized the necessity of aligning political objectives with industry capabilities to ensure a successful and timely return to the Moon. “If we”re going to beat China to the Moon, we have to utilize systems that are already proven,” he stated, highlighting the importance of the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion spacecraft. He pointed out that the only missing component in the current architecture is a lander.
He proposed a pooling of resources under the auspices of the Defense Production Act of 1950, which would grant the President enhanced powers to mobilize domestic industry for national defense. “We need a small, dedicated team empowered to expedite the development of a landing system as a national security priority,” Bridenstine said, advocating for a focused approach akin to Lockheed Martin”s Skunk Works.
Bolden, on the other hand, raised concerns about the intricate architecture of SpaceX”s Moon landing strategy. He noted that the complexity of the current plan, which involves multiple launches to refuel the lander in low Earth orbit, echoes the problematic aspects of the now-defunct Constellation program. “How did we get back to a situation where we need 11 launches to send one crew to the Moon?” Bolden questioned, suggesting that such complexity could delay the mission.
He cautioned against framing the mission”s timeline around political milestones, arguing that clear financial commitments from NASA are essential for motivating contractors. “There”s only one first time, and we”ve already done that,” Bolden remarked, emphasizing the importance of ensuring a sustainable presence on the Moon rather than merely beating China there.
Bridenstine reiterated that the use of Starship for Artemis 3 could significantly decrease the chances of a successful mission timeline. He praised Duffy”s decision to reconsider the HLS contract as “absolutely the right thing.” He advocated for a dual approach, suggesting that both the SLS and Starship be utilized together to optimize mission success. “We need to ensure that these programs are adequately funded to meet our objectives,” he asserted.
As SpaceX continues to advance its Starship development, having launched multiple test flights, the company is also preparing for the first flight of Starship Version 3, which will include an in-space refueling demonstration. This step is critical for the eventual uncrewed landing on the lunar surface.
While SpaceX has not officially commented on the reopening of the HLS contract, founder Elon Musk criticized Duffy”s qualifications for the role on social media, indicating a contentious atmosphere surrounding the agency”s future plans. In the meantime, Blue Origin is also pursuing its alternative Moon landing solutions as part of the competitive landscape for Artemis missions.
