NASA’s October 23, 2026, lunar lander development update describes revised approaches for SpaceX and Blue Origin to support a crewed lunar landing targeted for 2028. Artemis III is planned to conduct Earth-orbit demonstrations in 2027. Selection of the provider for the first landing will depend on readiness, with an uncrewed demonstration and NASA certification required before a crewed landing.
Separately, an October 22 China–Russia communiqué reaffirms cooperation on a lunar research station and deep-space exploration. These announcements concern mission development and international cooperation. They do not grant ownership of lunar territory or establish an international system for allocating lunar resources.
Two Proposed Routes to the Moon
SpaceX’s revised approach places the meeting between Starship and Orion in Earth orbit. Tankers would supply an orbital propellant depot, and the depot would fuel the lunar lander. Starship would then dock with Orion and propel the joined vehicles toward the Moon, with surface operations beginning from low lunar orbit.
Blue Origin’s approach uses three transfer stages assembled with the Blue Moon lander in Earth orbit. The stages would separate as their propellant is depleted. Blue Moon would meet Orion in an elliptical polar lunar orbit rather than carry Orion from Earth orbit.
The approaches differ in where the spacecraft meet and how the landers reach lunar orbit. SpaceX’s route incorporates an Earth-orbit rendezvous with Orion before the outbound journey. Blue Origin’s route sends its lander to meet Orion near the Moon. Propellant transfer is deferred in Blue Origin’s accelerated mission approach.
New Space Economy’s account of the revised Artemis landing plans examines these changes. The flight arrangements remain development plans, and the 2028 landing date is a target rather than a completed milestone.
China–Russia Lunar Cooperation
The China–Russia joint communiqué addresses cooperation under the countries’ space program for 2023–2027. It includes the International Lunar Research Station and planetary and deep-space exploration.
The communiqué also addresses satellite internet, spectrum policy, and cooperation involving the BeiDou and GLONASS navigation systems. These subjects describe areas of bilateral work. They do not establish that a lunar station has been completed or that either country has acquired territorial rights on the Moon.
Reaffirming cooperation can guide the activities of participating institutions. It is distinct from adopting a multilateral legal agreement governing resource extraction or allocating access to particular lunar locations.
Exploration and Use Under the Outer Space Treaty
The Outer Space Treaty establishes the freedom of exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies. It also prohibits national appropriation through claims of sovereignty, use, occupation, or other means.
These provisions distinguish the ability to undertake an activity from ownership of the territory where it occurs. A government’s announcement of a mission, landing architecture, or research partnership does not itself establish a territorial entitlement.
Space-resource activities remain a subject of United Nations legal discussions. The NASA update and China–Russia communiqué do not resolve those discussions. Their documented effects concern flight planning, development responsibilities, and cooperation between participating organizations.
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