# NASA Retains Dual Artemis Lander Paths

NASA’s **$2.89 billion** SpaceX Human Landing System award is drawing potential congressional oversight attention, but no formal investigation, hearing, court order, or program hold has been reported. NASA plans to retain both Artemis lander paths, while additional scrutiny could require program staff and contractors to provide cost and schedule information and could affect milestone timing ahead of the planned 2027 docking test.

- SpaceX’s HLS development contract covers an uncrewed demonstration and a crewed landing; companies supporting the effort may need to respond to requests for cost and schedule data.
- NASA’s plan to retain both lander paths means Blue Origin remains relevant to the Artemis procurement landscape alongside SpaceX.
- Contractors and suppliers should account for potential staff-time and schedule impacts from added scrutiny, while recognizing that no formal hold or change to the program has been reported.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Transportation
**Topics:** Contracting Vehicles
**Published:** November 01, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- House Science Committee
- House Oversight Committee

### Vendors
- SpaceX (HLS contract awardee)
- Blue Origin (Alternative Artemis lander developer)
- Dynetics (Participant in a joint protest of NASA’s original lander award)

### Sources
- [Musk Probes Could Hit Artemis: $2.89B Lander [2026]](https://shattered.io/musk-lawfare-artemis-program-starship-hls-2-89b-midterms-2026) - shattered.io