Illustration of the human SpaceX Starship project that will transport the first NASA astronauts to the surface of the Moon as part of the Artemis program. Credit: SpaceX
GODMOTHER is preparing to send astronauts to explore more of the Moon as part of the Artemis program, and the agency has selected SpaceX to continue the development of the first commercial human lander that will safely transport the next two American astronauts to the lunar surface. At least one of those astronauts will make history as the first woman on the moon. Another goal of the Artemis program is to land the first person of color on the lunar surface.
The agency’s powerful space launch system rocket will launch four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft for their multi-day journey into lunar orbit. There, two crew members will transfer to the SpaceX human landing system (HLS) for the final leg of their journey to the surface of the moon. After about a week exploring the surface, they will ascend the lander for their short journey back into orbit, where they will return to Orion and their colleagues before returning to Earth.
The total value of the contract, based on a fixed price, is $ 2.89 billion.
“With this award, NASA and our partners will complete the first manned demonstration mission to the moon’s surface in the 21st century, as the agency takes a step forward for women’s equality and long-term deep space exploration,” said Kathy Lueders, NASA Administrator. Associate for the Directorate of Mission Exploration and Human Operations. “This critical step puts humanity on a path to sustainable lunar exploration and keeps our eyes on further missions in the solar system, including Mars. ”
SpaceX worked closely with NASA experts in the core period of HLS performance to inform its lander design and ensure it meets NASA’s performance requirements and human spaceflight standards. A key principle for safe systems, these agreed standards range from engineering, safety, health and technical medical fields.
“This is an exciting time for NASA and especially for the Artemis team,” said Lisa Watson-Morgan, program manager for HLS at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. “During the Apollo program, we proved that it is possible to do what seems impossible: land people on the moon. Taking a collaborative approach in collaborating with the industry while leveraging NASA’s technical expertise and proven capabilities, we will bring American astronauts back to the surface of the Moon again, this time to explore new areas for longer periods of time. ”
Illustration of an astronaut Artemis on the moon. Credit: NASA
SpaceX’s HLS Starship, designed to land on the moon, is based on the company’s tested Raptor engines and the flight heritage of Falcon and Dragon vehicles. Starship includes a spacious cabin and two air locks for astronauts’ monthly walks. Starship architecture is designed to evolve into a fully reusable launch and landing system designed for travel to the Moon, Mars and other destinations.
The HLS Award is given in the following space technologies for exploration partnerships (NextSTEP-2) Annex H General Agency Announcement (BAA).
In parallel with the execution of the Appendix H award, NASA intends to implement a competitive procurement of sustainable manned surface transportation services that will ensure human access to the lunar surface using the recurring Gateway on a regular basis beyond the original demonstration mission. with crew.
With the NASA Space Launch System rocket, the Orion spacecraft, HLS and the monthly outpost Gateway, NASA and its commercial and international partners return to the moon for scientific discoveries, economic benefits and inspiration for a new generation. Collaborating with its partners throughout the Artemis program, the agency will fine-tune precision landing technologies and develop new mobility capabilities to enable the exploration of new regions of the Moon. On the surface, the agency proposed building a new habitat and rovers, testing new power systems and more. These and other innovations and advances in the Artemis program will ensure that NASA and its partners are prepared for the next big step in human exploration – Mars exploration.