New York Times Article Blaming SpaceX for U.S. Moon Race Setbacks Sparks Industry Outcry

A recent New York Times article, published on September 20, 2025, suggesting that SpaceX is a primary factor in the U.S. losing the race to return to the Moon, has drawn sharp criticism from industry figures. Christian Keil, Vice President at satellite manufacturer Astranis, publicly challenged the premise, stating, "Absurd take. Do you think the U.S. would be closer to winning WITHOUT SpaceX, @nytimes?"

The New York Times report, titled "U.S. Is Losing Race to Return to Moon, Critics Say, Pointing at SpaceX," highlighted concerns from federal government officials regarding delays in SpaceX's Human Landing System (HLS) project. The article noted that the Starship rocket, integral to the lunar mission, had experienced multiple test failures and that its current version could only carry a fraction of its promised payload, leading to doubts about the U.S. beating China back to the lunar surface.

Keil's tweet encapsulates a broader sentiment among some space enthusiasts and industry observers who argue that the New York Times's perspective is flawed. Many contend that delays in the Artemis program, NASA's initiative to return humans to the Moon, stem from a complex interplay of factors, including the development of the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft, which predate SpaceX's HLS involvement and have faced significant cost overruns and schedule slips.

Critics of the New York Times article also point to the contractual differences within NASA's programs. SpaceX operates under a fixed-price contract for its HLS development, incentivizing efficiency, whereas traditional aerospace contractors for SLS and Orion often work on cost-plus agreements, which some argue can lead to less urgency and increased expenses. The debate underscores the tension between established aerospace practices and the agile development approach championed by companies like SpaceX.

Despite the challenges and ambitious timelines, SpaceX's Starship development is seen by many as a revolutionary step towards more affordable and frequent space access. While acknowledging the inherent difficulties of such an undertaking, proponents argue that Starship's potential for full reusability and massive payload capacity is crucial for long-term lunar and Martian exploration, positioning the U.S. for sustainable presence rather than a one-off achievement.