The space agency has been grappling with budget uncertainties and a talent exodus even before the shutdown. But NASA’s moon program has remained largely untouched.

SpaceX posted a response to criticisms of delays in its Starship program from NASA acting Administrator Sean Duffy.

SpaceX on Thursday released the most detailed public update in nearly two years on its multibillion-dollar contract to land astronauts on the Moon for NASA, amid growing sentiment that China is likely to beat the United States back to the lunar surface with humans.

SpaceX said it has pitched NASA a "simplified mission" to put astronauts back on the moon following criticisms over delays by Sean Duffy, the space agency's acting administrator.

Elon Musk's SpaceX defended its progress developing a Moon lander in a blog post Thursday, following NASA's decision to reopen the program to other companies.

Former NASA officials warn that the U.S. looks poised to lose its self-declared race to beat China to the moon