NASA opens SpaceX’s moon lander contract to rivals amid Starship delays, sparking new competition for Artemis 3 mission

NASA is opening its prestigious Artemis 3 moon landing contract to new bidders, including Blue Origin, due to delays with SpaceX’s Starship. This move aims to ensure a timely return to the Moon amid intensifying international competition, particularly from China. The agency seeks accelerated proposals to maintain US leadership in space exploration.