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

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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