The SpaceX HLS Starship design will use Raptor engines and construction elements of the Falcon and Dragon vehicles. The Starship features a large cabin and two airlocks for astronauts to exit for their moonwalks. The Starship is planned to be a completely reusable launch and landing system.
SpaceX has had an aggressive testing schedule for its Starship series. They plan to use this design for both the Moon and Mars, as well as other future star destinations.
Kathy Lueders, NASA’s associate administrator for Human Explorations and Operations Mission Directorate made a statement about the historical nature of the lunar mission. “With this award, NASA and our partners will complete the first crewed demonstration mission to the surface of the Moon in the 21st century as the agency takes a step forward for women’s equality and long-term deep space exploration.”
“This critical step puts humanity on a path to sustainable lunar exploration and keeps our eyes on missions farther into the solar system, including Mars.”
Update
NASA announced on Friday they are suspending work on the $2.9 billion lunar lander contract while a federal watchdog agency the Government Accountability Office adjudicates the protests.
All HLS work will remain on hold and SpaceX won’t receive its up-front funding of the award. Initial design talks with NASA will also be delayed till the GAO reviews the contract.
Two companies that bid on the contract, Jeff Bezo’s Blue Origin and Dynetics, are protesting NASA’s decision. Blue Origin alleges NASA unfairly “moved the goalposts at the last minute” and endangered the 2024 timeline by only picking one company, SpaceX.
