Science · From the edition of Jul 18, 2026
✳ Dated TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2030 ✳
BLUE ORIGIN BEATS MUSK TO THE MOON
Bezos's uncrewed Blue Moon lander settles onto lunar dust while Starship stays grounded
NEW YORK, Dec. 31 — Blue Origin's Blue Moon MK1 touched down on the Moon this week, beating an uncrewed Starship to the surface — an outcome traders had priced at 60 per cent. Bezos got there first.
The unmanned lander made a soft descent as SpaceX's giant still worked through test flights. On Kalshi, the market that tracked the race drew nearly $90,000 in wagers before it closed.
Musk long owned the spotlight; this time the wires favored the quieter shop. Observers called it the first real crack in the two-man space race — and a long, patient bet finally paid.
Source: Kalshi · 60% probability — View market ↗