NASA weighs shifting Artemis mission to SpaceX Starship, reducing Boeing’s role

NASA is evaluating a significant shift in the Artemis lunar program, expanding SpaceX’s role while reducing Boeing’s. This realignment stems from frustrations with delays and high costs associated with Boeing’s Space Launch System (SLS) and a growing reliance on SpaceX’s reusable Starship technology. The proposed plan would have Starship dock with Orion in Earth orbit and propel astronauts to lunar orbit, taking over a function previously assigned to SLS. While Orion would still be used for returning astronauts to Earth, Starship would handle transport to lunar orbit and the descent to the surface. This change aims to accelerate Artemis timelines, but introduces execution risk as Starship has not yet completed a fully successful orbital flight. Boeing’s stock experienced a brief dip following the news.

(Source：Crypto Briefing)