NASA Audit Warns that SpaceX and Blue Origin Could Delay 2028 Moon Mission

SpaceX and Blue Origin are running into significant technical challenges as they work to build lunar landers for NASA’s Artemis program, which hopes to return astronauts to the moon. According to Bloomberg, a new audit from NASA’s Office of Inspector General found that SpaceX’s Starship lander still faces several development hurdles, which means that further delays are possible before the planned 2028 moon landing. It’s worth noting that SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, and Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, both have multibillion-dollar contracts with NASA to carry astronauts to and from the moon.

Claim 70% Off TipRanks Premium

• Unlock hedge fund-level data and powerful investing tools for smarter, sharper decisions

• Stay ahead of the market with the latest news and analysis and maximize your portfolio’s potential

However, the report notes that some important milestones have already been pushed back. For example, a major design review for SpaceX’s Starship lander has been delayed until August, which leaves less time to stay on schedule. At the same time, the audit warns that common problems that often occur when testing new technology, or additional failures during flight tests, could cause even more delays. In addition, one of the biggest technical challenges will be refueling Starship while it’s in orbit, which SpaceX plans to attempt for the first time this year.

Because this process requires transferring fuel from one spacecraft to another in space, it is considered extremely complex and has never been successfully done before. Meanwhile, Blue Origin is also experiencing setbacks. Its Blue Moon lander is currently running at least eight months behind schedule and still has several design issues that need to be fixed. Moreover, the report noted that if something goes seriously wrong during a mission, the agency currently has very limited options to rescue astronauts who might become stranded in space or on the moon.

What Is the Prediction for TSLA Stock?

When it comes to Elon Musk’s companies, most of them are privately held. However, retail investors can invest in his most popular company, Tesla TSLA +0.14% ▲ . Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Hold consensus rating on TSLA stock based on 13 Buys, 11 Holds, and seven Sells assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. Furthermore, the average TSLA price target of $399.25 per share implies that shares are trading near fair value.

Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue