Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin Set to Develop Astronaut Lunar Lander for NASA
A team led by Jeff Bezos’ space company Blue Origin has won a highly sought-after NASA contract to build a spacecraft that will transport astronauts to and from the moon’s surface, according to an announcement by NASA’s chief on Friday. This decision by NASA provides the agency with a second option for lunar missions under its Artemis program, alongside the previously awarded $3 billion contract to Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
Blue Origin’s contract, valued at approximately $3.4 billion, will contribute to NASA’s goal of landing astronauts on the moon for the first time since 1972. Blue Origin plans to partner with companies such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Draper, and Astrobotic to develop its 52-foot-tall Blue Moon lander. This lunar lander, along with SpaceX’s Starship lander, will play a crucial role in NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish sustainable human presence on the moon.
The collaboration between Blue Origin and NASA reflects the increasing involvement of commercial space companies in advancing space exploration. Jeff Bezos expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing the goal of landing astronauts on the moon and establishing a permanent presence. This contract award marks a significant milestone for Blue Origin, following its previous efforts to compete for space contracts. The decision also promotes commercial competition and provides NASA with backup options for lunar missions.
