The newspaper explained that "SpaceX's lunar landing project is significantly behind schedule, raising growing doubts about the United States' ability to outpace China, which has its own plan for a lunar landing in 2030."
According to former NASA executives who spoke to the newspaper, "SpaceX's targeted Starship rocket will not be ready for the mission for several years. Meanwhile, Starship has yet to carry astronauts or commercial cargo, and has exploded during three of four recent tests."
Experts say that "the situation is exacerbated by Musk's ambitious plan to deliver astronauts to the lunar surface, which relies on a never-before-tested in-space refueling system, which former NASA engineers describe as risky and behind schedule, so much so that it could take years before it is ready for a lunar mission."
The former NASA employees also acknowledge that part of the problem lies in the complex and risky lunar landing plan they chose.
The New York Times reported, citing experts, that the United States is losing the space race due to delays in SpaceX's lunar projects, owned by entrepreneur Elon Musk.
