NASA Awards SpaceX, Blue Origin Moon Lander Contracts

NASA Allocates $146 Million for Lunar Lander Development

NASA has distributed a total of $146 million in contract awards to five distinct companies. These include prominent players in the space industry such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Dynetics. The funding is designated for the development of innovative lander concepts, a crucial component of the agency’s ambitious Artemis program.

Contract Award Details

The financial allocations are as follows: $26.5 million has been awarded to Blue Origin; $40.8 million to Dynetics; $35.2 million to Lockheed Martin; $34.8 million to Northrop Grumman; and $9.4 million to SpaceX. Notably, two companies, Blue Ridge Nebula Starlines and Cook & Chevalier Enterprises, were not selected to receive contracts from the submitted proposals.

These awards fall under the NextSTEP-2 program, specifically Appendix N, titled “Sustainable Human Landing System Studies and Risk Reduction.” The initial solicitation, released in July, outlined the goal of engaging potential commercial partners for comprehensive concept studies.

Focus of the Lander Development

The selected companies will concentrate on developing detailed lander designs. This includes rigorous component testing and thorough evaluations focused on both performance characteristics and overall safety protocols.

It’s important to note that these awards are distinct from the earlier Human Landing System contract granted to SpaceX. That previous decision was contested by both Blue Origin and Dynetics, initially through a government watchdog and subsequently through a lawsuit filed by Blue Origin against NASA, which remains ongoing.

Impact on Future Missions

The results of this award cycle are anticipated to significantly influence the direction of future lander development contracts throughout the remainder of the decade. According to a statement released by the agency, the work completed by these companies will be instrumental in defining the strategy and requirements for a future NASA solicitation.

This future solicitation will aim to secure regular astronaut transportation services from lunar orbit to the Moon’s surface.

Collaboration and Team Efforts

Blue Origin’s proposal was submitted through its “National Team,” a collaborative effort involving Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Draper. It is worth noting that both Lockheed and Northrop also received individual, separate contracts under Appendix N.

A Blue Origin spokesperson communicated to TechCrunch that the contract will facilitate critical studies and risk reduction activities. These efforts will contribute to the creation of sustainable lander concepts. Furthermore, the team will collaborate closely with numerous other companies and NASA field centers nationwide.

The Artemis Program and Beyond

Established in 2020, the Artemis program is centered around several key objectives. These include returning humans to the Moon – for the first time since the Apollo missions – and establishing a routine for lunar travel by the late 2020s.

NASA’s ambitions extend beyond the Moon, encompassing broader interplanetary exploration, with a long-term goal of sending human missions to Mars.

Northrop Grumman’s VP of civil and commercial satellites, Steve Krein, stated, “As a key partner to NASA and a positive example of how commercial partnerships can work effectively, Northrop Grumman brings a proven record of accomplishment in human space exploration.” He further added, “We continue to work in partnership with Blue Origin and the National Team to meet NASA’s ambitious goals to return to the Moon and Mars.”

This report has been updated to include statements from both Northrop Grumman and Blue Origin.