NASA reopens bids for Artemis 3 lander
Reuters •
With SpaceX behind schedule, NASA invites alternate providers for the lunar lander contract.
Tracking Humanity’s Return to the Moon
Who will land humans on the Moon first — the U.S. or China?
Who’s Ahead Right Now?
Head-to-head readiness score based on rocket, crew, lander, funding, and schedule.
🇺🇸 USA (NASA)
66/100- Rocket readiness 75
- Crew vehicle 70
- Lander progress 55
- Funding/approvals 80
- Schedule confidence 55
🇨🇳 China (CNSA)
62/100- Rocket readiness 68
- Crew vehicle 60
- Lander progress 52
- Funding/approvals 78
- Schedule confidence 60
See Methodology for criteria, weights, and update cadence.
Who’s Ahead? (Details)
Deeper breakdown. See Methodology.
🇺🇸 USA (NASA)
66/100
- Rocket readiness 75
- Crew vehicle 70
- Lander progress 55
- Funding/approvals 80
- Schedule confidence 55
🇨🇳 China (CNSA)
62/100
- Rocket readiness 68
- Crew vehicle 60
- Lander progress 52
- Funding/approvals 78
- Schedule confidence 60
Live News Feed
Long March 10 engine test milestone
CNSA •
China completes a key propulsion test supporting a 2030 crewed lunar landing target.
Milestone Timeline
- 2024-06-25 Chang'e-6 returns far-side samples (CHN)
- 2025-10-20 Artemis HLS rebid announced (USA)
- 2027-12-01 Target: crewed landing window opens (USA)
- 2030-12-01 Target: crewed landing window opens (CHN)
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About Race Back to the Moon
Race Back to the Moon tracks humanity’s next giant leap — the renewed effort to return astronauts to the lunar surface.
We follow real-time mission progress from NASA’s Artemis program and China’s lunar initiatives, comparing milestones, crew developments, and launch schedules in an easy-to-understand format.
Our goal is to make the new space race accessible and exciting for everyone — from space enthusiasts to curious newcomers — with clear visuals, credible updates, and a sense of wonder about what’s ahead.
Contact
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