In a surprising twist that’s shaking the aerospace community, a former NASA administrator who once championed SpaceX’s Starship for the Artemis program has now turned into one of its most vocal critics. This sudden shift has sparked intense debate among space enthusiasts, engineers, and policymakers alike. Meanwhile, SpaceX remains steadfast, continuing to make steady progress toward returning humans to the Moon.
What’s behind this dramatic reversal? What does it mean for NASA’s Artemis program, SpaceX’s Starship HLS, and even Blue Origin’s New Glenn? Let’s explore the full story behind this brewing space race controversy.
A Former NASA Chief Turns on Starship
A few years ago, NASA made headlines when it selected SpaceX’s Starship as the Human Landing System (HLS) for the Artemis program, marking a bold step toward returning astronauts to the lunar surface. At the time, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine (mistakenly referred to as “Benstein” in some reports) enthusiastically supported SpaceX’s vision, calling it a revolutionary step toward low-cost lunar exploration.
However, fast-forward to late October 2025, and the same man who once placed his faith in Starship is now publicly criticizing it. During the American Astronomical Society’s von Braun Space Exploration Symposium, Bridenstine and another former NASA administrator, Charlie Bolden, voiced concerns about the Artemis program’s structure and timeline — particularly, whether SpaceX can deliver Starship HLS in time for a Moon landing before China.
“The Probability of Beating China Approaches Zero”
Bridenstine did not hold back. He expressed doubts that the U.S. could return humans to the lunar surface before China’s first crewed Moon mission, saying bluntly:
“The probability of beating China approaches zero rapidly. We have to do something different.”
He suggested a radical solution: model the lunar landing effort after the Defense Production Act, a wartime measure that allows the U.S. government to rapidly mobilize industrial output.
According to Bridenstine:
“If the goal is to beat China to the Moon, we need a program that’s all-in — with a small, empowered team that can act quickly under a national security imperative.”
His comments implied that SpaceX’s current pace may not align with national urgency. While he still recognized Starship’s long-term potential, he warned that the system might take too long to mature for near-term missions.
Doubts About Starship’s Readiness
Bridenstine acknowledged that Starship is a groundbreaking vehicle, saying it will “deliver large mass to low Earth orbit for a long time” and “drive down costs.” However, he emphasized that its complexity means that a lunar-ready lander version could take much longer to perfect.
He even endorsed acting NASA administrator Sean Duffy’s decision to open a new competition for the Artemis III mission, hinting that a different lunar lander design might be necessary to speed up the schedule.
Charlie Bolden Joins the Critique
Former NASA chief Charlie Bolden echoed these sentiments, pointing out that the Artemis program suffers from structural inefficiencies and a lack of coordination. He claimed that with immediate reforms, NASA could still return astronauts to the Moon by the end of the current presidential term, but only if changes happen fast.
Both former administrators also mentioned Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander as a potential alternative or complementary solution — suggesting NASA diversify its reliance beyond SpaceX.
Their joint remarks effectively reignited debate over whether SpaceX’s Starship HLS can meet Artemis’s deadlines — and whether NASA should hedge its bets.
SpaceX Fires Back: “Misguided or Misleading”
SpaceX wasted no time in responding. The company strongly defended its progress and challenged Bridenstine’s claims, calling them either “misguided or intentionally misleading.”
In an official statement, SpaceX reminded the public that it was originally selected for Artemis HLS under Bridenstine’s own leadership:
“SpaceX was selected to design and develop a human landing system for Artemis, along with Blue Origin and Dynetics, during Mr. Bridenstine’s tenure as NASA administrator.”
Furthermore, SpaceX noted that its proposal was chosen through a fair, open competition, where Starship was deemed the best and lowest-risk option — both technically and financially.
NASA Reaffirmed Starship Multiple Times
The company also clarified that Starship’s selection was repeatedly reaffirmed, even after protests and lawsuits from competing companies like Blue Origin and Dynetics.
“The decision to select Starship was repeatedly confirmed after protest and litigation from companies not selected, which delayed the start of work for many months.”
Finally, SpaceX delivered a sharp rebuke toward Bridenstine’s recent remarks:
“Mr. Bridenstine’s recent musings promoting a new landing system — invoking the Defense Production Act — are being misreported as though they were the unbiased thoughts of a former NASA administrator. They are not.”
This statement made one thing clear: SpaceX is not backing down. The company reaffirmed its confidence that Starship remains the fastest, safest, and most cost-effective path to return humans to the Moon.
Starship HLS: Progress and New Design Details
Beyond the political drama, SpaceX continues to show real hardware progress. The latest Starship HLS images have taken the aerospace community by storm — giving the most detailed look yet at the lunar variant of Starship.
New Look, New Purpose
The new images show the full Starship HLS stack on the launchpad, revealing several key differences from the standard Starship design. The forward section appears smoother and more streamlined, with a single thin black separation line likely marking the divide between the fuel tanks and crew compartment.
Gone is the traditional cargo door — replaced by a square hatch and elevator system designed to lower astronauts to the lunar surface. Next to this hatch are small viewing windows, giving Starship a more humanized and livable look.
Landing Legs and Lunar Adaptations
At the base, Starship HLS now sports landing legs, built to stabilize the massive spacecraft on the uneven lunar surface. The folding-leg design resembles the Falcon 9 booster’s mechanism, though inverted for Moon operations.
Inside, renderings show a spacious multi-level cabin, connected by stairways, with a balcony overlooking large observation windows — perfect for lunar operations and astronaut comfort.
According to SpaceX documentation, Starship HLS offers 600 cubic meters of habitable volume — about two-thirds of the entire International Space Station. It features two airlocks, each larger than the Apollo lunar module, and can carry up to 100 metric tons of cargo to the Moon.
No other lander in history has ever come close to such capabilities.
Technical Milestones: Starship Keeps Moving Forward
SpaceX reports having completed 49 milestones under its Artemis HLS contract. These include:
- Life support system testing
- Environmental control demonstrations
- Orion spacecraft integration tests
- Landing leg trials and structural analysis
The HLS vehicle has already been built and equipped with core systems, now undergoing final integration. The next big step? In-space refueling tests, a critical technology for lunar operations, followed by the debut of Starship V3 equipped with upgraded Raptor 3 engines.
These advancements demonstrate continuous progress, not stagnation — reinforcing SpaceX’s message that Starship remains on track for its first lunar mission.
Artemis, Politics, and the Race Against China
At its heart, this debate is about more than rockets — it’s about national strategy. The Artemis program is not just a scientific mission; it’s also a geopolitical competition.
Both the U.S. and China are racing to establish a permanent presence on the Moon — a symbolic and strategic milestone in the new space age.
Bridenstine’s warnings about China’s rapid progress have rekindled the sense of urgency that originally drove Artemis. However, SpaceX argues that Starship’s rapid reusability and massive payload capacity are precisely what will give NASA the edge in the long run.
Blue Origin Enters the Spotlight with New Glenn
While SpaceX and NASA dominate headlines, Blue Origin has quietly made major progress of its own. The company’s heavy-lift rocket, New Glenn, is finally approaching its long-awaited debut launch, expected between November 9th and 11th, 2025.
On October 30th, Blue Origin conducted a successful 38-second static fire test at Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 36. The rocket’s seven BE-4 engines produced an incredible 1,700 tons of thrust, marking a crucial milestone toward flight readiness.
New Glenn’s Second Launch Attempt
This static fire test simulated landing conditions by throttling engines sequentially to study fluid dynamics during shutdown — a critical step for booster recovery. Both Jeff Bezos and new CEO Dave Limp praised the test as proof that the once-troubled BE-4 engines are finally performing reliably.
The booster will now undergo inspection and integration for its NASA EscaPADE mission, designed to study Mars’s magnetosphere. If successful, this launch will mark Blue Origin’s first orbital success, paving the way for reusability certification and potential military contracts.
After years of delays, New Glenn is finally ready to fly, signaling that Blue Origin is no longer a distant second in the commercial space race.
What’s Next for Artemis and the Space Race
The future of Artemis now hinges on how NASA manages competition, innovation, and risk. Bridenstine’s comments underscore the political pressure to achieve visible progress quickly, while SpaceX’s response highlights the technical confidence that has defined the company since its inception.
As Starship and New Glenn move toward critical tests, both will define the next decade of human spaceflight — from reusable lunar landers to heavy-lift interplanetary missions.
Key Takeaways
- Former NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine — once a Starship supporter — now questions whether SpaceX can meet Artemis timelines.
- SpaceX fired back, calling his statements misleading and reaffirming Starship’s technical and financial superiority.
- Starship HLS is making visible progress, with detailed new design updates and major testing milestones.
- Blue Origin’s New Glenn is preparing for launch, marking a pivotal comeback for Jeff Bezos’s space company.
- The Artemis program remains at the center of a larger geopolitical and commercial race — one that could determine who leads humanity’s next great leap.
Conclusion: SpaceX’s Vision Still Burns Bright
Despite criticism, SpaceX continues to charge forward with the same ambition that has already redefined space travel. The company’s combination of engineering innovation, cost efficiency, and bold vision positions it as the most capable contender to return humans to the Moon — and eventually to Mars.
As the Artemis program evolves and competitors close in, one truth remains clear: Starship is not just a rocket — it’s a revolution.
Whether NASA stays the course or alters its path, SpaceX’s Starship HLS will continue to shape the future of human space exploration for decades to come.
FAQs
1. Why did the former NASA Administrator turn against SpaceX’s Starship HLS?
Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine recently expressed skepticism about Starship’s readiness for the Artemis program timeline. Although he initially supported SpaceX’s selection, he now believes the U.S. may not reach the Moon before China unless NASA accelerates its approach.
2. What exactly is the Starship HLS?
The Starship HLS (Human Landing System) is SpaceX’s specialized version of Starship designed to land astronauts on the Moon under NASA’s Artemis program. It features modifications such as landing legs, airlocks, and an elevator for lunar surface access.
3. What did SpaceX say in response to Jim Bridenstine’s criticism?
SpaceX issued a firm statement defending its record, calling Bridenstine’s remarks “misguided or misleading.” The company reminded the public that Starship was selected under his own administration after a fair and open competition.
4. Has NASA reaffirmed its commitment to SpaceX’s Starship?
Yes. NASA has reaffirmed Starship’s selection multiple times, even after legal protests and challenges from competitors like Blue Origin and Dynetics. This confirms NASA’s confidence in SpaceX’s technical and financial approach.
5. What makes Starship HLS different from the regular Starship rocket?
The lunar version includes landing legs, an elevator system, two airlocks, and a multi-level crew cabin optimized for living and working on the Moon. It’s also designed for in-space refueling to enable repeated missions.
6. What progress has SpaceX made with Starship HLS so far?
SpaceX has completed 49 milestones under its HLS contract, including life-support tests, environmental control systems, and landing leg trials. The HLS hardware is already built and undergoing final integration before refueling and flight testing.
7. Why is China mentioned in the debate about Artemis?
China is advancing its own crewed lunar mission, and U.S. officials fear that it may reach the Moon before NASA’s Artemis program. Bridenstine’s recent comments highlight this growing geopolitical competition in space exploration.
8. What is the Artemis program?
The Artemis program is NASA’s initiative to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable lunar presence as a stepping stone for future missions to Mars. It involves commercial partners like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Lockheed Martin.
9. How will Starship HLS land on the Moon?
Starship HLS will descend vertically using Raptor engines, deploy its folding landing legs, and then lower astronauts to the surface via an integrated elevator system. Its reusable design allows it to return to lunar orbit for refueling.
10. Is Blue Origin competing with SpaceX for Artemis missions?
Yes. Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander is competing in NASA’s Sustaining Lunar Development contract for future Artemis missions. Additionally, Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is nearing its first launch, signaling increased competition.
11. What is Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket?
New Glenn is Blue Origin’s massive heavy-lift reusable rocket designed for orbital missions. It uses seven BE-4 engines and will attempt its first orbital launch in November 2025, carrying NASA’s EscaPADE mission to Mars.
12. Why did Blue Origin’s BE-4 engines face delays?
The BE-4 engines encountered years of testing and reliability challenges. However, the recent 38-second static fire test at Cape Canaveral proved they now perform nominally, restoring confidence in New Glenn’s flight readiness.
13. How big is Starship HLS compared to other lunar landers?
Starship HLS has a habitable volume of 600 cubic meters, about two-thirds the size of the entire International Space Station (ISS) — far larger than any previous lunar lander, including Apollo’s Lunar Module.
14. When will SpaceX test Starship’s lunar refueling system?
SpaceX plans to test in-space refueling in the coming year using its Starship V3 equipped with upgraded Raptor 3 engines. This milestone is critical for long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars.
15. Could NASA choose another lunar lander instead of Starship?
It’s possible. NASA recently announced additional competitions for future Artemis missions, opening the door for companies like Blue Origin or Dynetics to offer alternative or complementary systems alongside SpaceX’s Starship.
16. Will SpaceX land astronauts on the Moon before China?
That remains to be seen. SpaceX is progressing quickly, but China’s Chang’e crewed lunar mission is also advancing. The race is now as much about politics and funding as it is about technology and engineering.
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