TWiS 183: Lunar Lander Wanted! Apply Within - Artemis III Contract Opening Up?

19 snips

Oct 24, 2025

Mike Wall, a senior space reporter at Space.com, brings his expertise to discuss NASA's reopened contract for the Artemis III lunar lander. He dives into Elon Musk's provocative responses and details the technical challenges facing SpaceX's Starship. The conversation highlights the urgency spurred by China's lunar ambitions and the geopolitical pressures affecting U.S. milestones. Wall also touches on how a potential government shutdown could impact the Artemis program and warns against assuming smooth progress in future missions.

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INSIGHT

SpaceX’s Unmatched Launch Cadence

SpaceX's rapid launch cadence this year vastly outpaces competitors and is transforming operational tempo.
FAA approvals expanded launch allowances to support the high flight rate SpaceX achieved in 2025.

ANECDOTE

Death Valley Field Trip Memory

Mike Wall recounted a Death Valley geology field trip with Rod Pyle and John Grotzinger tied to Curiosity outreach.
Wall climbed down a mountainside to check on Pyle during the hike, showing camaraderie on reporting trips.

INSIGHT

Artemis Lander Contract Reopened

Acting NASA chief Sean Duffy announced plans to reopen the Artemis III landing contract due to schedule concerns with SpaceX's Starship.
Duffy also shifted the Artemis III landing target from mid-2027 to 2028, increasing urgency and scrutiny.

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Lander, lander, who's got the lander? Last week, acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy announced that the agency would be re-opening the contract for the Artemis III lunar lander, which had previously been let to SpaceX to be fulfilled by their Starship Human Landing System. Unfortunately, that effort is well behind schedule, and the Trump administration has made landing astronauts on the moon, before China does, a national priority. With multiple refuelings and landing tests required, there is concern that SpaceX may not be able to fulfill their commitment before China's announced landing date of 2030. Elon Musk responded to the announcement with characteristic tack, with phrasing like "Sean Dummy" and him having a two-digit IQ. Mike Wall of Space.com joins us to dive into this rapidly evolving story.

Headlines:

• Texas vs. the Smithsonian: The Fight Over Space Shuttle Discovery Heats Up
• Artemis II Moon Rocket Fully Assembled, Awaits Rollout
• California Senator Pushes State Funding to Support JPL Amid Federal Cuts
• SpaceX Sets Record with 139 Launches, ULA Struggles to Keep Up
• New Super-Earth Discovered Just 20 Light Years Away Near Gemini

Main Topic: The Lunar Lander Dilemma for Artemis III and Beyond
• NASA Acting Chief Sean Duffy Announces Reopening Artemis III Lunar Lander Contract
• SpaceX's Starship Faces Orbital Refueling Challenges and Timeline Doubts
• Blue Origin Lurking in the Wings: Can They Deliver a Lander On Time?
• Political Pressures: China's Moon Plans Drive US Urgency
• Spacesuit Development Delays Threaten Artemis Timelines
• NASA's Budget Woes and Layoffs Cloud Roadmap for Future Moon Missions
• Speculation on Jared Isaacman's Potential Leadership of NASA
• Broader Uncertainty Over Artemis IV, V, and Long-Term Lunar Strategy

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Mike Wall

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