Elon Musk’s SpaceX is “behind schedule” preparing its Starship launch vehicle for a U.S. mission to the Moon, so NASA is seeking alternative bids from other companies including Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, the space agency’s head said Monday. NASA acting administrator Sean Duffy made the comments in reference to the space agency’s Artemis III mission to the moon, which aims to be the first human landing on the moon since 1972. NASA selected SpaceX in 2021 for the mission, which is due to launch in 2027. “They are behind schedule, and so the President wants to make sure we beat the Chinese,” Duffy said on Fox News in reference to SpaceX. “I’m in the process of opening that contract up. I think we’ll see companies like Blue [Origin] get involved, and maybe others. We’re going to have a space race in regard to American companies competing to see who can actually get us back to the moon first.” Musk and President Donald Trump, once close allies, had a falling-out over the summer before publicly reuniting in September. Bezos and Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp have both met with Trump. foxnews.com/video/6383358..