SpaceX's Plan Change after Starship Blast! NASA SRB also exploded while China...Space Weekly #7

Work is ramping up at Massie and Starbase to restore normal operations. Debris from S36 has been photographed, revealing some encouraging signs. Meanwhile, a future SLS solid booster exploded during testing. And over in China, key tests for its upcoming moon mission continue to move forward. Let's break down this week's biggest developments in today's episode of Great SpaceX. Time to return to the spotlight. What once seemed like an ambitious timeline for Starship is now taking shape as activity ramps up once again at Starbase. Could the next launch happen sooner than expected? The S36 incident at the Massie test site has significantly slowed progress for SpaceX's Starship program. If this failure had not occurred, we might already be counting down to flight 10. However, the damage has already been done and now all attention is focused on cleanup, evaluation, and a carefully executed recovery process. SpaceX must move forward decisively to bring Starship operations back on track. Fortunately, recovery efforts began almost immediately. On the afternoon of June 20th, just days after the explosion, the first crane was spotted moving into position at the Massie area. Simple debris cleanup started soon after, which was an encouraging sign that the site was once again safe for human access. This initial progress set the stage for more comprehensive repairs and investigation. By June 21st, operations escalated. The crane was seen attempting to lift large fragments of debris. Some wreckage was so heavy that it had to be dragged rather than lifted completely off the ground. Then on the 24th, during efforts to remove a particularly massive piece of wreckage, the crane reportedly toppled. Fortunately, the situation did not appear to result in major injury or significant delay. The large debris was eventually either placed onto transport vehicles or set aside in designated areas for later removal. Post incident imagery of the Massie test site reveals significant damage. The test stand, nearby tanks, and surrounding infrastructure were all affected by the explosion. As such, the cleanup is expected to take several more days, possibly even weeks. Following the removal of debris, SpaceX will need to refurbish or replace critical systems. These include the tank farm, fueling infrastructure, test stand components, and the ship quick disconnect arm. Only after those systems are restored can SpaceX resume cryogenic and static fire testing at Massie. Despite these obstacles, SpaceX is pushing forward across other parts of Starbase. Notable progress continues. On the 21st, two MOVAC tanks were transported to the launch site. Then on the 24th, an impressive convoy of nearly 20 water trucks arrived. Although it is still unclear whether these assets are intended for launchpad A or pad B, the movement of this equipment strongly suggests that Starbase is gearing up for further testing or pad readiness procedures. At the production site, developments are also underway. The hotstaging ring, which had been moved from Mega Bay back to Staractory for adjustments, was returned to Mega Bay shortly afterward. This indicates that it may soon be installed onto B16, which is being prepared for flight 10. B16 remains on schedule, so ultimately the timing of the next launch will be determined by the status and readiness of the next Starship vehicle. With S36 now destroyed, S37 is the most likely candidate to take its place on flight 10. S37 completed assembly earlier this year and successfully passed two cryogenic tests by the end of May. This suggests that it is largely ready for the next phase of qualification. However, one major hurdle remains. The vehicle has not yet undergone its static fire test. The usual location for this test would be the Massie test site, but that facility is currently inoperable due to the recent incident. Although launchpad A has all the necessary systems for testing, it appears that its orbital launch mount is not accommodation of the current iteration of the ship prototype. As for launchpad B, construction is still ongoing. The manifold installation is not yet complete and after that step, the platform will need to undergo individual system tests followed by full scale integration checks. This creates a serious bottleneck in the testing timeline. Unless an alternative solution is found or Massie is rapidly brought back online, the static fire test for ship 37 could be delayed by weeks or more. One bold idea that has emerged is the possibility of skipping the static fire test entirely. If SpaceX chooses this path, they could begin final checks and installations immediately. This would include integrating the flight termination system, the payload adapter, and any mission specific equipment. Once these steps are complete, S37 could be stacked on top of B16 and moved to the launch site. A full wet dress rehearsal with the stacked vehicle would likely follow. Testing systems under realistic pre-launch conditions. However, this approach would be highly controversial. Static fire testing plays a critical role in validating a vehicle's flight readiness. It allows engineers to inspect engine behavior, fuel tank integrity, COPV performance, avionics, and other key subsystems under real stress conditions. Skipping this step could leave undetected issues lurking inside the hardware, especially given Starship's history. COPVS, in particular, are now under intense scrutiny. The explosion of S36 has been traced back to this component. Failing to verify their performance through a static fire test could increase the risk of another catastrophic failure. And while skipping static fire testing is possible in theory since SpaceX has done this before with Falcon 9, it is worth noting that Falcon 9 is a mature vehicle with hundreds of successful missions under its belt. It has earned that flexibility through consistent performance. Starship, by contrast, is still in development. Every recent flight has encountered significant issues. Even B-14, which had already flown once, had to undergo full testing again before being cleared for its second flight. This demonstrates the level of caution still necessary when working with such a massive and complex vehicle. Given all this, SpaceX faces a critical decision in the coming days. If the company is confident in its systems and believes that the lessons learned from past flights, including the S36 incident, have been fully addressed, then a bold move toward launch without a static fire, might be feasible. However, if mission success is the priority, and it should be, then a more methodical approach would be preferable. The return to launch operations will depend on how thoroughly SpaceX can resolve the issues identified in recent months. The company will need to conduct deep inspections, reinforce quality control, and ensure that all subsystems from engines to fuel tanks to COPVS are functioning as intended. These steps will form the foundation for a truly successful mission which would break the streak of troubled flights seen in the first half of 2025. Still, the sense of urgency remains. The public is eager to see Starship fly again. With the growing pace of global competition, including rapid advances from China and other private players like Honda and Blue Origin, SpaceX needs to demonstrate progress and regain momentum. At the same time, careful preparation now will pay dividends later. A clean, successful flight would boost investor confidence, reaffirm NASA partnerships, and accelerate timelines for key missions like Aremis, Starlink deployment, and Mars colonization. In the end, SpaceX must balance ambition with caution. That balance will determine whether Flight 10 becomes a breakthrough moment or another setback. If you agree that preparation is the key to progress, type yes, Kevin, in the comment section down below. Then like the video and subscribe to our channel to stay updated on Starship's journey and everything happening at SpaceX. What a turn of events. New close-up images of S36 have just been released, and the damage is less severe than expected, offering a more hopeful outlook for Starship's recovery. One recently released image offers a closeup of a major piece of debris believed to be from the ship's nose cone. The exterior is torn and scorched, likely due to the suspected explosion of a composite overwrapped pressure vessel in the payload section. Despite the violence of the blast, the debris reveals some telling signs of resilience. The image shows a clear contrast between the windward and leeward sides. Many heat shield tiles are missing, likely torn off by the shock wave or burned away by extreme heat. Since tiles in this region are glued, not pinned, they are more vulnerable to failure under such conditions. The damage is especially prominent near the Starling Terminal and the catching point. Yet, surprisingly, both of these areas withtood the blast better than expected. The Starling terminal area in particular remains mostly intact with only one tile missing and little sign of surrounding damage. This may indicate reinforced construction to protect vital hardware. The catching point also appears in solid shape. Aside from a surface crack, the base tiles remain firmly in place. These signs are encouraging. The explosion likely produced greater force and heat than what the vehicle would face during atmospheric re-entry. The fact that any part of the structure survived intact speaks to the growing robustness of critical components. While vulnerabilities in the heat shield remain, especially where tiles are glued, SpaceX is clearly making progress. A second image shows what appears to be a different section of S36, possibly near the payload bay. Here, the destruction is more extensive. Tiles are gone and the ablade of protection layer has peeled away, exposing bare structure. This contrast helps pinpoint weak spots needing reinforcement in future builds. Although ship 36 was lost, these early debris analyses offer valuable insight. They allow SpaceX to assess material behavior under extreme stress, evaluate subsystem durability, and adapt designs for better survivability. So, while the setback was serious, it is not without lessons. The durability of key areas like the Starling terminal and catching point gives reason for optimism. If you support the team's effort, comment keep improving below. And don't forget to like the video and subscribe to stay updated on Starship's ongoing journey. In addition to the recently surfaced debris from ship 36, other critical systems at the Massie test site have also been brought into clearer focus. Among them, the most prominent is the ship quick disconnect system located adjacent to the test stand. Earlier images already revealed that this system suffered heavy damage with which of it appearing burned and partially collapsed. In newly released close-up footage, the extent of the destruction becomes even more evident. Steel frames that once provided structural integrity to the system now appear warped from extreme heat. In some areas, the metal has been twisted out of alignment and several components are seen slumped or leaning awkwardly against the remaining framework. This level of damage is not surprising given the QD systems proximity to the blast center. It was located right beside the test stand where the explosion originated. As a result, it absorbed the brunt of the energy and heat from the event. It is clear that this system will need to be fully rebuilt before it can support any future testing operations. However, the same cannot be said for the fuel pipe system. Given the intensity of the explosion and the visible damage to surrounding structures, it is highly likely that this network will require a complete overhaul before it can be safely reused. With Massie still undergoing recovery, the natural question is whether SpaceX will consider an alternative testing location. One promising option that comes to mind is launchpad B. Recent developments at this site include the installation of final manifold systems, suggesting that it is nearing the final stages of its construction phase. Once these installations are complete, system tests could begin, bringing pad B closer to operational readiness. Visually, Pad B shares several similarities with the Massie site. It features a flame trench and a QD setup that appear well designed to handle ship testing. The only major unknown at this point is its compatibility with the orbital launch mount, which is essential for conducting integrated tests with the full Starship stack. It remains to be seen whether SpaceX will choose to shift testing operations to pad B. However, based on the current pace of construction and preparation, there is good reason to believe that this site could be brought online soon. Even if it is not immediately used for ship testing, pad B will play an important role in enhancing SpaceX's launch infrastructure. By distributing operations across multiple pads, SpaceX can increase launch frequency, improve efficiency, and begin much needed upgrades on pad A without interrupting its overall cadence. Therefore, pad B represents a critical step forward, not just for recovery from the S36 incident, but for the long-term expansion and reliability of the Starship program. We will continue to monitor how SpaceX proceeds, including any decisions regarding ship testing and further infrastructure development at Starbase. Well, we've witnessed yet another rocket explosion this month. NASA recently encountered a serious testing issue with its SLS booster, raising concerns about whether it will even fly in the future. So, what exactly went wrong? At the same time, Rocket Lab has successfully completed its latest mission of the year and is now on track to set a new record. Meanwhile, a rather uncertain and potentially bleak future is being predicted for the Aryan 6. It can be said that after years of criticism, the future of NASA's Space Launch System or SLS is finally becoming clearer in 2025. If the proposed budget cuts are passed, the SLS may be cancelled after Artemis 3. This would mean that both the SLS Block 1B and Block 2 variants may never see flight. However, despite the uncertain outlook, NASA appears unwilling to give up on its flagship rocket. Construction of mobile launcher 2 is still ongoing and most recently a key component of a future SLS configuration has entered the testing phase. The BL booster BL which stands for booster obsolescence and life extension is being developed by Northr Grumman and is designed as the upgraded solid rocket booster for the SLS block 2. It is expected to debut no earlier than Artemis 9. This new booster is a critical part of the larger SLS upgrade path, aiming to increase performance and replace the current aging booster components. After completing production, Northrumman and NASA scheduled a full-scale ground test of the bowl booster on the 26th of June. The test took place at the North Promontory test site in Utah. At exactly 12:25 p.m. Mountain time or 2:25 p.m. Eastern, the booster was ignited for what was planned as a 2 minute and 30 secondond test firing. During this time, approximately 1.4 million pounds of solid propellant was consumed. Initially, the test proceeded smoothly and appeared promising, likely raising expectations at both NASA and Northr Grumman. However, just over 2 minutes into the test, about 10 seconds before the scheduled conclusion, an anomaly occurred. The exhaust plume, which had been stable, suddenly flared more intensely. A few moments later, a camera angle switch revealed a large burst and visible debris flying from the rear of the booster. Despite the explosion, the motor continued burning until the scheduled end of the test. Later, analysis confirmed that the debris originated from the nozzle section of the booster. After enduring intense heat and pressure for over two minutes, the nozzle may have been pushed beyond its design limits, eventually catching fire and partially breaking apart. The incident was eerily similar to the issue faced by ULA's Vulcan rocket during its second flight, where nozzle related problems also became a point of failure. In a statement following the test, Jim Calberer, vice president for propulsion systems at Northr Grumman, explained, "Today's test pushed the boundaries of large solid rocket motor design to meet rigorous performance requirements. While the motor appeared to perform well through the most harsh environments of the test, we observed an anomaly near the end of the two plus minute burn. as a new design and the largest segmented solid rocket booster ever built. This test provides us with valuable data to iterate our design for future developments. Even though the problem did not result in catastrophic failure, it clearly signaled that significant work remains. The Bull booster, while ambitious in scale and capability, is still a new system. Standing 47 1/2 m tall and composed of five segments, it has a diameter of 3.8 m with a nozzle that reaches 4.4 m wide. The casing is built from carbon fiber composite material and is projected to produce about 3.9 million pounds of thrust or roughly 1,770 metric tons. This performance increase would theoretically allow the SLS block 2 to carry 5 tons more payload than the current block 1B configuration. However, none of this matters if the system is never approved for flight. Artemis 6 is not expected to launch until the early 2030s and Artemis 9, the first possible flight to use bowl, is even further away. That means this booster, even if perfected, might not fly for another decade. The real question is whether the investment in B and the broader SLS system is justified given its uncertain future. Each SLS launch already costs billions of dollars. The development, production, and maintenance of SLS hardware, Orion spacecraft, ground systems like the mobile launcher, and now new booster technology only add to that cost. These are massive investments for a program that may not survive beyond Artemis 3. The Office of Management and Budget has already proposed significant reductions to Artemis infrastructure. These include cuts to the lunar gateway, Orion spacecraft upgrades, and mobile launcher 2. While NASA is still pushing forward, these actions suggest that political and financial support is weakening. Unless NASA finds a broader purpose for SLS beyond the Aremis program, many of these developments could ultimately be shelved. Some believe there is still a case for keeping SLS alive. Supporters argue that it remains the only rocket capable of launching the Orion spacecraft with astronauts on board in a single launch. Others point to its potential use in missions that do not fit SpaceX's Starship architecture. However, these arguments are losing strength as Starship continues to evolve and as NASA becomes more aligned with commercial partners for cost-effective deep space access. The recent Bull test anomaly underscores how far the SLS program still has to go. Even though the test achieved many of its objectives, the nozzle failure shows that the design is not ready for operational use. Over the coming months, engineers at Northther Grumman and NASA will study the data in detail. They will attempt to identify the root cause and determine whether the design needs a fundamental overhaul or if the problem was an isolated issue. In the meantime, public scrutiny will grow. With every dollar spent, people will ask if NASA is making the right call by continuing to fund a rocket that may never fly again. The fate of the Bold Booster and the SLS Block 2 could rest on whether NASA is willing or able to justify these costs in the long run. So, what do you think? Will the Bull booster and future versions of SLS ever reach the launchpad? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below by replying yes or no and sharing your reasoning. Then, if you want to keep following the development of NASA SLS and the future of space exploration, then make sure to like the video and subscribe to our channel. [Music] What you just witnessed was a major leap by China. An ambitious test that marks a pivotal step in its lunar journey. This milestone signals China's growing resolve in the race to the moon, revealing a clear intent to challenge the US and carve out a lasting presence beyond Earth. But what exactly was achieved? And how should SpaceX and the US respond to this rising momentum compared to the lunar race of the last century? Today's competition for the moon is fiercer than ever, made even more intense by China's emergence as a powerful new contender. With each bold step, China continues to close the gap, and its latest demonstration shows just how determined it is to match and perhaps surpass other space fairing nations. At 12:30 a.m. Eastern on June 17th, which was 12:30 p.m. in Beijing, the China Man Space Engineering Office carried out a critical test at the Guan Satellite launch center in the Gobi Desert. Known as a pad abort or zero altitude escape test, this demonstration involved Mango, China's next generation crude spacecraft designed to carry astronauts not only into low Earth orbit, but eventually to the moon. During the test, the Mangha capsule was mounted beneath an escape tower on the launchpad. Upon receiving the ignition command, the tower's solid rocket motors fired, thrusting the assembly skyward. Moments later, a second command flipped the capsule to the proper orientation, and at roughly 20 seconds into the flight, a secondary motor separated the escape tower from a from the crew vehicle. Immediately following separation, the capsule deployed its parachutes to begin a controlled descent through the atmosphere. Simultaneously, a protective cover beneath the vehicle opened, allowing its airbag system to inflate. 2 minutes after ignition, Manga touched down safely in a designated landing zone. The entire operation unfolded flawlessly, proving the escape systems ability to carry astronauts out of harm's way and bring them safely back to Earth. For those unfamiliar with Manga, it is a dramatic leap forward for China's current Shenzha spacecraft. Designed to carry up to seven astronauts in low Earth orbit or fewer crew along with up to 500 kg of cargo, Mango's lunar version will weigh around 26 metric tons and be capable of transporting three astronauts into lunar orbit. There they will rendevous with a separate lander for descent to the surface. According to China's planned lunar mission profile, two Long March 10 rockets will launch the mission components. One will carry the crude Mangha spacecraft. The other will deliver the Lanua lunar lander. Once in lunar orbit, the two vehicles will dock, allowing the astronauts to transfer to the lander. After completing surface operations, the crew will return to orbit aboard Lanu, rejoin Mangro, and make the journey back to Earth. The pad aboard test was essential to validating the spacecraft's safety systems. In an official statement, the Chinese space agency emphasized that escape and rescue capabilities are vital safeguards in human space flight. In case of launchpad emergencies, these systems are designed to pull astronauts out of danger and ensure a secure return. Officials explained that the test verified multiple critical functions including the initiation of the escape sequence, separation of components, trajectory control, and the life support systems on board. They also gathered valuable flight data to confirm that realworld performance matched simulation models. The agency stated that this successful demonstration laid an important technical foundation for future lunar missions. Development of the Long March 10 and the Lanua lander is reportedly progressing as scheduled with more tests to follow as China advances toward its goal of landing humans on the moon around 2030. Unlike previous spacecraft, Mango integrates both escape and life-saving systems within a single design. This marks a shift from the Xenhao philosophy, which relied more heavily on the rocket to provide escape thrust while the spacecraft managed survival. China's engineers describe Manga as a foundational vehicle, one that will support the nation's space station, lunar exploration, and other human missions for years to come. Notably, this is only the second escape flight test in China's space history. The first took place 27 years ago with Shenha in 1998. That long gap underscores the significance of this latest milestone, especially given how closely it ties to China's lunar ambitions. More safety tests are scheduled later this year, including an in-flight abboard scenario at maximum dynamic pressure, an especially demanding phase of ascent when aerodynamic stress peaks. This upcoming test could occur either at Guuchan or Wenchang on Hainan Island. If held at Wang, the mission might use a modified test vehicle or a Long March 5B, and the capsule will be recovered after splashdown. Meanwhile, development on the Long March 10 and Lanua lander continues in parallel. Every subsystem must be perfected and integrated before China attempts a lunar landing mission by the end of the decade. What are your thoughts on China's accelerating progress in human space flight? Share your insights in the comments section down below. And if you enjoyed this update, don't forget to like the video and subscribe to follow SpaceX's and the world's journey to the moon and beyond. In addition to the recent crew safety test, China has quietly achieved another major milestone in support of its lunar ambitions. This time, the focus is on orbital surfacing, a technology that could prove essential for future moon missions. China is currently conducting rendevous and docking operations between two satellites in geostationary orbit, Shu Giannu 25. Both are part of a broader effort to develop inspace servicing and refueling capabilities. Shujian 21 was launched in October of 2021 and Shujian 25 followed in January of 2025. Initially, the two satellites were positioned about 2° apart in longitude roughly 1500 km in orbital distance. Previously, Shujian 21 completed a notable mission by docking with the inactive BO2 G2 navigation satellite and towing it into a graveyard orbit, a designated zone for retired satellites. Following that task, it appeared to drift passively, possibly due to depleted fuel reserves. However, in a surprising development, Shujian 21 recently reactivated its thrusters and began maneuvering towards Shujian 25. At the same time, Shuji 25 adjusted its own trajectory to approach Shuji 21. Their movement has been coordinated in a phased orbit, optimizing fuel efficiency during the rendevous. As of one week ago, the two satellites were expected to meet on the 11th. While official confirmation has not yet been released, the event may have been monitored by US surveillance satellites USA 270 and 271, part of the geocynchronous space situational awareness program or GSAP, which keeps track of activities in geostationary orbit. Once docked, Shuan 25 is expected to demonstrate advanced surfacing techniques such as fuel transfer and life extension support. These technologies could dramatically improve the sustainability of space operations by reducing long-term costs, minimizing satellite replacements, and limiting the growth of orbital debris. More importantly, these capabilities are directly relevant to future lunar exploration. The ability to dock and refuel in orbit is a key component of SpaceX's Starship program, particularly for deep space missions to the moon and Mars. China's progress in this area signals that it too is building the infrastructure needed for longduration multi-launch lunar campaigns. Although the maneuver may not have been part of the original plan, it nonetheless represents a vital step. It suggests that China is actively testing technologies that will play a crucial role in future lunar missions. Quietly, but with purpose. With China advancing rapidly in its lunar program, it is clear that the US, led by NASA and SpaceX, must take decisive moves to maintain leadership in the new space race. While the current US road map still places it ahead of China in several key areas, China's accelerating pace and recent breakthroughs have added a new layer of urgency. Their progress raises a critical question. How quickly can they close the gap or even surpass us if the momentum continues? In response, both NASA and SpaceX must act swiftly and strategically. The window of advantage the US currently holds will not remain open indefinitely. While our path remains solid on paper, the reality is that challenges lie ahead for both government and private sectors, and the stakes are now higher than ever. For NASA, the future is increasingly complicated. The SLS and Orion spacecraft, pillars of the Aremis program, are under intense scrutiny. These vehicles have been in development since the early 2010s, and despite more than a decade of work and tens of billions of dollars in investment, they have only completed one full mission, the Armis 1 in 2022. While that mission was ultimately successful, it underscored the slow and costly nature of NASA's traditional approach. SLS in particular remains a fully expendable rocket, meaning none of its core components are recovered or reused, an outdated model in today's rapidly evolving launch industry. Meanwhile, Orion, designed to carry astronauts beyond low Earth orbit in a role similar to China's Manga spacecraft, has faced persistent issues, especially with its heat shield. As of now, both SLS and Orion are being prepared for Artemis 2, which is not scheduled to launch until 2026. That'll mark just the second flight of a system that has consumed more resources than nearly any other in modern NASA history. Adding to the uncertainty is the fact that both vehicles have been named in the White House's proposed budget cuts. Under this plan, SLS and Orion could be cancelled or drastically scaled back, making the Aremis program's future even more dependent on SpaceX. For some, especially critics of the ballooning costs and long delays, this may be welcome news. But for NASA, it represents a stark failure to deliver a sustainable long-term exploration strategy. Without its own reliable crude launch capability for deep space, NASA must now place greater reliance on its commercial partners. That brings us to SpaceX. Although SpaceX has made historic strides in the past few years, especially with Starship, it is also beginning to face growing pains. Following a flurry of major milestones in 2023, including successful static fires, suborbital launches, and the early stages of orbital testing, the pace has slowed somewhat. Several critical capabilities that are essential to a successful moon mission have not yet been fully demonstrated. To date, Starship has not achieved a full mission profile involving orbit, payload deployment, deep space engine burns, successful re-entry of both stages or complete recovery. The inspace refilling system, vital for the Aremis 3 landing, is still in development, and the human landing system variant of Starship has yet to be publicly unveiled in its flight ready form. Despite these hurdles, there are reasons for optimism. SpaceX has already demonstrated controlled landings of its Superheavy booster using the Mechazilla arms, a remarkable engineering feat. The company continues to build out its ground infrastructure with new launch towers, tank farms, and production facilities rapidly taking shape at Starbase. These developments will be essential to support a high flight rate, which in turn is crucial for data collection, iteration, and refinement of both Starship and its systems. NASA and SpaceX have made meaningful strides in lunar preparations. Airlock and elevator systems for Starship HLS have passed key tests, and newly released interior diagrams reveal how the spacecraft will support astronauts on the moon. Despite some delays, the mission architecture is steadily advancing. Artemis 3 remains on track for a potential 2027 launch. If SpaceX completes uncrrewed demo landings beforehand, humanity's return to the moon could happen before the decade ends. Musk has even floated the possibility of a Mars mission in 2026, an ambitious goal that underscores SpaceX's deep space drive. Meanwhile, China continues its methodical progress conducting complex orbital surfacing tests, paddle board demonstrations, and steadily developing the Long March 10 rocket, the Lanui lunar lander, and the Mangha spacecraft. These efforts clearly show that China is serious and determined to compete head-to-head with the US. Their ability to execute highly coordinated technical tests with precision suggests that they are not just chasing the US space program, but actively building a foundation to lead into the next phase of lunar exploration. And yet, confidence remains warranted with organizations like NASA and companies like SpaceX at the helm. The US is still on track to return astronauts to the moon before China. The path is not without obstacles, but American space leadership has always been defined by its resilience, innovation, and ability to overcome adversity. As long as momentum continues and strategic decisions are made wisely, the goal remains within reach. Indeed, the moon race has undeniably entered a new dramatic phase. China is making bold moves, but the United States, armed with experience, technological prowess, and a renewed spirit of collaboration between public and private sectors, is still in the lead. And if current efforts continue, it is not just possible, but likely that America will once again plant its flag on the lunar surface before any other nation gets there. This has been Kevin with Great SpaceX. Don't forget to like the video and subscribe if you haven't already to stay updated with yours truly on the latest milestones in SpaceX's journey. Thank you so much for watching and always remember, curiosity, imagination, and inspiration will follow you so long as you keep looking up.