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NASA Chooses Blue Origin for Lunar Lander Development
NASA has announced its choice of Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin to develop the lander for one of its missions that will send astronauts back to the moon. The agency has confirmed that Blue Origin will be responsible for designing, developing, testing, and verifying the lander to meet NASA’s human landing system requirements for multiple expeditions to be used for its Artemis V mission.
NASA’s Artemis V mission will launch four astronauts into lunar orbit on the Orion spacecraft for Artemis V. The spacecraft will dock, and two of the astronauts will then go to Blue Origin’s human landing system for about a weeklong trip on the moon’s south pole area to “conduct science and exploration activities.”
Blue Origin will also have an unmanned demonstration mission to the moon’s surface before a manned demonstration on the Artemis V mission scheduled for 2029. NASA previously set up a contract with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to demonstrate an initial human landing system for Artemis III — which is set to bring the first humans in half a century back to the moon’s surface in 2025 — and demonstrate a lander for Artemis IV.
Increasing Competition in the Artemis Program
NASA’s announcement of adding Blue Origin as another partner for the Artemis program will increase competition, reduce costs for taxpayers, support regular lunar landings, further invest in the “lunar economy”, and help NASA achieve its goals on the moon to plan for future missions to Mars.
“Artemis V is at the intersection of demonstrating NASA’s initial lunar exploration capabilities and establishing the foundational systems to support recurring complex missions in lunar orbit and on the surface as part of the agency’s Moon to Mars exploration approach,” the release states.
Blue Origin’s Responsibility in Developing the Lander
Blue Origin stated in a release that it will develop and fly a lander that can make a precise landing anywhere on the moon’s surface. It also featured a rendering of how the lander that is used for Artemis V will appear.
“Blue Origin and its partners are already at work and are excited to be on this journey with NASA,” the release states.
Conclusion
NASA’s decision to include Blue Origin in their Artemis program is a significant step in their approach to establish a foundational system to support recurring complex missions in lunar orbit and on the surface as part of the agency’s Moon to Mars exploration approach. Blue Origin’s responsibility in developing the lander is a crucial component in NASA’s plans to send astronauts back to the moon. The lunar landing will advance scientific discoveries, advance the lunar economy, and lay the foundation for future missions to Mars and other parts of the solar system.
FAQs
What is the Artemis Program?
The Artemis Program is NASA’s mission to send the first woman and next man to the Moon by 2024, establish sustainable lunar exploration, and lay the foundation for future missions to Mars and other parts of the solar system.
What is Blue Origin’s role in the Artemis program?
Blue Origin is responsible for designing, developing, testing, and verifying the lander to meet NASA’s human landing system requirements for multiple expeditions to be used for its Artemis V mission. Blue Origin will also have an unmanned demonstration mission to the Moon’s surface before a manned demonstration on the Artemis V mission scheduled for 2029.
What are the benefits of adding Blue Origin as a partner in the Artemis program?
NASA’s announcement of adding Blue Origin as another partner for the Artemis program will increase competition, reduce costs for taxpayers, support regular lunar landings, further invest in the “lunar economy”, and help NASA achieve its goals on the Moon to plan for future missions to Mars.
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