Testimony before the Senate Commerce Committee highlighted escalating concerns regarding the United States' lunar ambitions and the looming threat of China surpassing it in the space race. Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine voiced significant apprehension, asserting that NASA's reliance on SpaceX's Starship for Artemis missions makes a pre-China lunar landing "highly unlikely."
Bridenstine emphasized the complexity of the current lunar landing architecture, noting the dependence on numerous Starship tanker launches to establish a propellant depot in low Earth orbit. He criticized NASA's selection of Starship in early 2021, suggesting the decision was flawed and made under unfavorable circumstances due to the absence of a confirmed NASA administrator at the time. "This is an architecture that no NASA administrator that I’m aware of would have selected if they had a choice," he stated.
While SpaceX's Starship offers a lower cost compared to competitors Blue Origin and Dynetics, Bridenstine's concerns highlight potential risks associated with this choice. The decision, upheld by the Government Accountability Office and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, remains a point of contention. Sen. Maria Cantwell expressed worries about the overall Artemis plan, advocating for a continued focus on multiple landers.
Further fueling concerns, witnesses like Allen Cutler, president of the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration, emphasized China's advancements in lunar lander technology and the potential for the US to cede lunar dominance. Mike Gold of Redwire highlighted the risk of reduced crew size on the International Space Station due to proposed budget cuts, potentially hindering crucial biomedical research and shifting advantages to China.
The hearing underscored a pervasive sentiment that China's space program is progressing relentlessly, unhindered by setbacks. Bill Nye, CEO of The Planetary Society, attributed much of the US's perceived lag to proposed budget cuts impacting NASA. He warned that China's lunar success would be a significant blow to US prestige. The hearing’s unexpected witness roster changes further highlighted existing tensions.
Senator Ted Cruz, emphasizing the importance of continued funding for the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion, warned against disruptive changes to NASA's architecture. The inclusion of funding for SLS and Orion in the budget reconciliation bill reflects Congressional support for these programs and a desire to maintain US space leadership.