Following testimony suggesting NASA is behind China in the space race, Acting Administrator Sean Duffy expressed his anger and reiterated the agency's commitment to landing astronauts on the moon before China. During an internal town hall, Duffy referenced a Senate Commerce Committee hearing where former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine testified that it was “highly unlikely that we will land on the moon before China.” “That was shade thrown on all of NASA,” Duffy stated. “I was angry about it.”
Duffy firmly countered Bridenstine’s assessment, asserting, “I’ll be damned if that is the story that we write. We are going to beat the Chinese to the moon. We are going to make sure that we do this safely. We’re going to do it fast. We’re going to do it right.” This sentiment was echoed by Amit Kshatriya, newly appointed associate administrator, who vowed to “push back” on such comments and urged the workforce to prioritize lunar return efforts. “The first thing I’d say is everything, every meeting, every discussion you have, every day you wake up, ask yourself, ‘Is what I’m doing helping us get back to the moon?’” Kshatriya said. “If it’s not, stop doing it. You’ll have my full support to stop doing it.”
Bridenstine's testimony centered on concerns surrounding SpaceX’s Starship, the planned lunar lander for Artemis 3, and potential delays impacting the 2027 landing target. Duffy acknowledged the need to reduce the estimated $4 billion cost per Artemis mission, stating, “At $4 billion a launch, it becomes very challenging to have a moon program. We have to do things more cost-effectively.” He also addressed the administration’s proposed budget cuts, emphasizing that despite reductions, “the president…gave us more money for space exploration.”
Duffy's extended remarks at the town hall offered a rare glimpse into his leadership, contrasting with his limited public appearances since July. He concluded by emphasizing his commitment to the role, albeit with uncertainty about its duration due to the ongoing vacancy of a permanent administrator position. “I’m serving here at the pleasure of the president. I’m going to be here for the foreseeable future,” he said. “I would just tell you that I could be here again for one day, for one month. I could be here for one year.”