"Private Firms Face Setbacks in U.S.-China Moon Race"

Setbacks in the U.S. moon program and a propulsion issue with Astrobotic's moon lander highlight the challenges of NASA's reliance on private companies in the moon race with China. The U.S. aims to put astronauts on the moon in 2026, while China targets 2030. China's government-backed program has achieved several lunar exploration firsts, while U.S. startups face steep challenges in developing space expertise and culture. Despite setbacks, NASA continues to work with private companies like SpaceX to reduce mission costs, while other countries like India also lean on private firms for space exploration efforts.