Blue Origin Wins NASA Lunar Lander Contract for Artemis V
Via NASA
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NASA selected Blue Origin to build a human landing system for the Artemis V mission, awarding the Kent, Washington company a $3.4 billion firm fixed price contract as the second lunar lander provider alongside SpaceX.
Blue Origin's Blue Moon lander will dock with the Gateway space station in lunar orbit, where two astronauts will transfer aboard for a weeklong mission to the Moon's South Pole region.
The plan calls for one uncrewed demonstration landing before the crewed Artemis V flight, which is currently targeted for 2029.
NASA's Space Launch System rocket will send four astronauts to lunar orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft, and the Blue Origin contract complements SpaceX's existing awards for the Artemis III and IV missions.
Agency officials said the dual provider approach is designed to add competition, reduce costs, drive innovation, and support recurring landings toward a sustainable lunar economy.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson called the moment a golden age of human spaceflight made possible by the agency's commercial partnerships.
Blue Origin's Blue Moon lander will dock with the Gateway space station in lunar orbit, where two astronauts will transfer aboard for a weeklong mission to the Moon's South Pole region.
The plan calls for one uncrewed demonstration landing before the crewed Artemis V flight, which is currently targeted for 2029.
NASA's Space Launch System rocket will send four astronauts to lunar orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft, and the Blue Origin contract complements SpaceX's existing awards for the Artemis III and IV missions.
Agency officials said the dual provider approach is designed to add competition, reduce costs, drive innovation, and support recurring landings toward a sustainable lunar economy.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson called the moment a golden age of human spaceflight made possible by the agency's commercial partnerships.
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