Since the Chicoms have never “been to the moon” they are not in a race to get “back to the moon.” We have been there, done that.
There are 4 companies trying to build future Space Stations. Some private.
As far as the current NASA insanity, would you believe the next manned mission is to orbit the moon and return. The insanity is that the Orion capsule life support system has not been tested in space. Yes, you read this correctly. Also, the heat shield for the return through the Earth’s atmosphere has major issues. I cannot decide if the humans on that flight are brave or foolish.
Today’s SpaceX Starship / SuperHeavy Booster test will test various re-entry tiles, as well as the stainless steel body of the Starship, and many other systems. SpaceX purposefully stresses these systems to find out what works, what doesn’t work, etc.
The Orion spacecraft’s first mission, called Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1), launched into space on Dec. 5, 2014. It has been tested in space. Yes, you also read that right.