NASA - ARTEMIS Program logo.
Nov 4, 2021
Image above: Illustration of SpaceX Starship human lander design that will carry the first NASA astronauts to the surface of the Moon under Artemis. Image Credit: SpaceX.
NASA was notified Thursday that the U.S. Court of Federal Claims denied Blue Origin’s bid protest, upholding NASA’s selection of SpaceX to develop and demonstrate a modern human lunar lander. NASA will resume work with SpaceX under the Option A contract as soon as possible.
In addition to this contract, NASA continues working with multiple American companies to bolster competition and commercial readiness for crewed transportation to the lunar surface. There will be forthcoming opportunities for companies to partner with NASA in establishing a long-term human presence at the Moon under the agency’s Artemis program, including a call in 2022 to U.S. industry for recurring crewed lunar landing services.
Through Artemis missions, NASA will lead the world in landing the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface, conduct extensive operations on and around the Moon, and get ready for human missions to Mars.
Related links:
lunar landing services: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-gauges-industry-interest-for-long-term-moon-landing-services
Artemis: https://www.nasa.gov/artemis
Image (mentioned), Text, Credits: NASA/Robert Margetta/Monica Witt.
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