'I think we will prevail': NASA chief Jared Isaacman on Artemis, China and the new moon race (exclusive)

The United States aims to secure a strategic advantage in the emerging lunar race, where a successful 2028 landing would position it ahead of China and reinforce its leadership in deep‑space exploration, while Chinese lunar initiatives gain international attention. Earlier this week NASA announced tests of SpaceX’s Starship and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander as part of the Artemis program’s push toward the 2028 mission. The Arizona Daily Sun reported that the agency is streamlining its schedule to keep the 2028 target, a move presented as essential to outpace China’s own lunar ambitions.

SpaceNews described the effort as a 2028 imperative covering Artemis, the SR‑1 concept and additional robotic landings. The evaluations are intended to validate the performance of both commercial systems under lunar conditions. The agency’s next steps focus on finalizing vehicle certifications, integrating commercial partners and preparing for the launch window that anchors the 2028 timeline.

The NASA.gov release frames the effort as part of a broader goal to return humans to the Moon and lay the groundwork for a sustainable presence.