tech

April 3, 2026

Artemis II is NASA’s last moon mission without Silicon Valley

Next time around, the pressure will be on SpaceX and Blue Origin.

Artemis II is NASA’s last moon mission without Silicon Valley

TL;DR

  • NASA's Artemis program is shifting towards reliance on private companies for deep space missions, starting with the Artemis II mission.
  • The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, developed with legacy contractors, is the most powerful operational rocket but was costly and delayed.
  • SpaceX and Blue Origin are competing to provide the lunar lander vehicles for future Artemis missions.
  • SpaceX's Starship was selected as a lunar lander, though its development has faced challenges and program adjustments.
  • Blue Origin was later contracted to develop its own human landing system.
  • NASA plans a 'bake-off' in 2027 to test the landers' ability to rendezvous with Orion.
  • New NASA administrator Jared Isaacman has prioritized private space companies, cutting investments in projects like the Gateway lunar space station and SLS upgrades.
  • The U.S. is in a geopolitical race with China to return humans to the moon by 2030, making success crucial for Silicon Valley's technological standing.

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