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Oct. 16, 2025, 11:40 AM EDTBy Denise ChowAs SpaceX’s Starship rocket thundered into the South Texas sky this week, a crowd of employees outside mission control began to chant, “U-S-A, U-S-A!”It was the second successful test flight after a string of fiery failures for Starship, bringing Elon Musk’s rocket company a step closer to its goal of carrying NASA astronauts back to the moon. Yet, the hurdles ahead seem as large and daunting as the 400-foot-tall launch system.The employees’ zeal was, in part, an acknowledgment of the space race that has heated up between the United States and China. NASA chose SpaceX for an upcoming moon mission the agency bills as “humanity’s first return to the lunar surface in more than 50 years,” which is scheduled for 2027. But China is jockeying to secure that milestone for itself and has pledged to put boots on the moon by 2030.SpaceX is significantly behind where it should be if the U.S. wants to beat China. Although the company has made major strides since Starship debuted in 2023, a spate of four failures marred its progress earlier this year, including two separate explosions that rained debris over parts of the Caribbean.The pressure on each Starship launch belies a larger problem: NASA has found itself reliant on a single commercial company to deliver the future of America’s space program. “If this is truly a space race, we’re setting out our national goal and saying, ‘Well, we hope this company pulls it off,’” said Casey Dreier, chief of space policy for The Planetary Society, a nonprofit organization that conducts research, advocacy and outreach to promote space exploration. “The stated national priority of the United States is actually in the hands of a private company now, rather than the government.”

- Latest News - October 16, 2025

NASA wants to land astronauts back on the moon by 2027. China aims to put boots there by 2030. For NASA to win the race, it needs SpaceX to complete.

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Oct. 16, 2025, 10:06 AM EDTBy Elmira AliievaLONDON — It’s safe to say they’re making their presence felt. Japan’s top sumo wrestlers were wandering the streets of London ahead of the sold-out Grand Sumo Tournament taking place this week at the Royal Albert Hall, the British capital’s famous Victorian concert venue. Dressed in traditional Japanese clothing, the wrestlers known as rikishi, have been exploring the city in between rigorous training for what is just the second event of this type to be held outside Japan in 1,500 years. Atamifuji Sakutaro sightseeing in London on Tuesday.Kyodo via APWearing traditional clothing, the wrestlers pass the gates of Buckingham Palace. Ryan Pierse / Getty ImagesThis time, the spotlight is on two highest-ranked wrestlers, known as yokozuna — Mongolian Hoshoryu Tomokatsu and Japan’s Onosato Daiki. Onosato, 25, became the 75th fighter to earn that title in May, having risen to the rank in a record 13 tournaments. His rival, Hoshoryu, was the 74th man to attain the rank.“I’m happy that sumo is back after so many years,” Onosato told Sky News, NBC News’ broadcasting partner, on Wednesday. “I hope I can show the U.K. fans how fantastic sumo is.”“Being a yokozuna has a lot of responsibility,” Hoshoryu said. “My uncle was a yokozuna — and I’m happy to follow in his footsteps. But I came here to London as a yokozuna which he didn’t, so I’m even happier,” he added. Stopping to pose for pictures with traditional souvenirs, the pair were among a group of sumo wrestlers who visited most of London’s touristic landmarks, including Buckingham Palace and Westminster with its iconic Big Ben.The rikishi at the tournament’s opening ceremony.Jordan Pettitt – PA Images / PA Images via Getty ImagesBut that didn’t stop them from their rigorous training routine and their equally rigorous eating regime. Their carefully structured, high-calorie meals are vital for building the size and strength needed to compete at the highest level.“We are going through 70 kilos of rice a day,” Donagh Collins, the CEO of Askonas Holt, an arts company which helped to organize the event, told Sky News. “Somebody told me that the wholesaler for the noodles has run out of noodles,” he added. But in a break from their traditional diet, some of the wrestlers were pictured enjoying London’s street food and feeding each other hot dogs as they explored the city. Hoshoryu feeds Onosato a hot dog near the Houses of Parliament. Ryan Pierse / Getty ImagesWhile the tournament in London was completely sold out, back home Sumo has faced a series of scandals, including allegations of bullying, assault and sexism at stables where the wrestlers train. Allegations of illegal betting and links to organized crime have also cast a shadow over the image of Japan’s national sport. But in London, Wednesday saw the first day of the five-day exhibition tournament — the first of its kind since one was hosted at the same venue some 34 years ago. The tournament was watched by a sellout crowd. Ryan Pierse / Getty ImagesTobizaru throws salt before his match against Shonannoumi.Ryan Pierse / Getty ImagesOnosato lifts Ura during their bout Wednesday. Ryan Pierse / Getty ImagesThe wrestlers, who weigh a combined six tons, slapped, gripped and lifted each other, as spectators reveled at the sight of the centuries-old Japanese sport. Around eleven tons of clay were brought into the hall to build the dohyo, the raised ring where the wrestlers compete, outlined with rice bales shaped and secured using beer bottles, according to Reuters.The two grand champions, Hoshoryu and Onosato, each secured victory in their bouts, closing the evening with weighty performances — literally. Elmira AliievaElmira Aliieva is an NBC News intern based in London.

- Latest News - October 16, 2025

Japan’s top sumo wrestlers were wandering the streets of London ahead of the sold-out Grand Sumo Tournament taking place this week at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

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