NASA to develop 2nd human lunar landing system

169
SHARE

NASA has developed a plan for future ventures to the moon. In April 2021, SpaceX won the 2.9 billion contract to build the first human lunar landing system. It was based on the Starship design. 

Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin lost out to SpaceX in the bid for NASA’s Artemis Human Lunar Landing System (HLS) contract. They issued a complaint with the government watchdog. And Bezos ultimately filed a case against NASA in Federal court. 

SpaceX beat the other space ventures by tens of millions. But its competitors have always lobbied NASA to have more than one vendor.

The amended development program follows up on a $146 million plan called NextSTEP Appendix N. It will pay five companies to modify their plans for crewed lunar landers and reduce future technical risks. 

Blue Origin is partnering with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to bid. And SpaceX and Dynetics will be bidding in the contract’s Appendix N categories.

Lunar landing system #2

The HLS program is the centerpiece of the NASA Artemis Moon Program. And the SpaceX Starship design is scheduled for an uncrewed beta mission to the moon in 2024. And the first crewed lunar landing for NASA’s Artemis program is set for 2025.