On May 19th, 2023, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced that it had chosen Blue Origin, a space exploration and launch service provider company based in Kent, Washington, to build the Blue Moon human landing system (HLS) for its Artemis V lunar mission. NASA has awarded Blue Origin $3.4 billion dollars for this purpose.
As part of the Artemis program, NASA aims to expand its lunar exploration efforts, uncover scientific discoveries, and prepare for future missions to Mars. Collaborations and contracts between such government and private aerospace companies will attract investments in spacetech and aerospace industry.
Read the complete story to know more about the contract and its contribution to NASA’s Artemis V lunar mission.
The Billion Dollar Offer
The contract, valued at $3.4 billion, encompasses the design, development, and testing phase, as well as an uncrewed demonstration mission and a crewed demonstration on the Artemis V mission in 2029.
Blue Origin will be responsible for the design, development, testing, and validation of its Blue Moon lander, ensuring that it meets NASA's specifications for regular astronaut missions to the Moon's surface.
A significant aspect of this undertaking involves the essential process of docking with Gateway, a space station located in lunar orbit where crew transfers take place.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "Today we are excited to announce Blue Origin will build a human landing system as NASA's second provider to deliver Artemis astronauts to the lunar surface."
Nelson emphasized the importance of commercial and international collaborations in the current era of human spaceflight, calling it a "golden age" that would pave the way for future missions to Mars.
For the Artemis V mission, NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket will launch four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft to lunar orbit.Once docked with Gateway, two astronauts will transfer to Blue Origin's human landing system for a weeklong journey to the Moon's South Pole region.
There, they will conduct scientific research and exploration activities. Artemis V represents NASA's initial lunar exploration capabilities and the establishment of foundational systems to support complex missions in lunar orbit and on the surface, aligning with NASA's Moon to Mars exploration strategy.
Moreover, the addition of Blue Origin as a human landing system partner within the Artemis program will foster competition, reduce costs, support regular lunar landings, stimulate the lunar economy, and help NASA to achieve its goals for Moon missions in preparation for future crewed missions to Mars.
In November 2022, NASA contracted SpaceX to demonstrate an initial human landing system for the Artemis III mission. SpaceX was also directed to evolve its design to meet NASA's requirements for sustainable exploration and demonstrate the lander on Artemis IV. The contract with Blue Origin now adds another lander demonstration for Artemis V, meeting the same sustainable lander requirements. This strategy guarantees the presence of numerous providers who can engage in healthy competition to meet NASA's requirements for accessing the lunar surface during Artemis missions. These requirements encompass accommodating larger crews, longer mission durations, and improved cargo capabilities.
By supporting industry development of innovative human landing system concepts and designs, NASA aims to increase access to space and drive commercial opportunities that can serve both NASA and other customers, ultimately benefiting space exploration as a whole.
Lisa Watson-Morgan, the manager of the Human Landing System Program at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, highlighted the benefits of having two distinct lunar lander designs, explaining that this approach fosters innovation, reduces costs, and promotes commercial capabilities to support a lunar economy.
Conclusion
The selection of Blue Origin as the partner for the human landing system underscores NASA's commitment to the Artemis program, where astronauts will undertake scientific exploration, harness economic advantages, and lay the groundwork for crewed missions to Mars.
Together, the Space Launch System Rocket, Orion Spacecraft, Gateway, advanced spacesuits, and human landing systems form the foundation of NASA's deep space exploration endeavors.
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