The best human landing system is the one that can beat China to the moon

The question of whether or not both or even one of the human landing systems being developed by SpaceX and Blue Origin will be ready for the next moon landing in 2028 has raised its ugly head.

According to Space.com, former NASA administrator and current Quantum Space CEO Jim Bridenstine cast doubt on the two approaches on a recent podcast. He referred to the SpaceX Starship and the Blue Origin Blue Moon as “extraordinarily complicated,” and noted that the Apollo-era lunar module is “as simple as you could possibly make it.” The implication was that neither of those vehicles will be ready on time.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman was more upbeat about one or more systems being ready by a 2028 moon landing. In a recent appearance on “Face the Nation,” Isaacman didn’t directly address Bridenstine’s points. He instead posed a question and provided an answer. 

“The Chinese will land their taikonauts on the moon,” he said. “The question is, will the United States return before them, and will we do so in a different way this time, when we build a base, establish that enduring presence? I think the answer is yes.”

Bridenstine is certainly correct that the Apollo approach to going to the moon was simple in concept and execution. The command and service modules and the lunar module went to the moon with one launch of the Saturn V.

He is also correct when he asserts that the Artemis approach to landing on the moon is very........

© The Hill