NASA selects Blue Origin for first of three uncrewed lunar missions

Selection for Lunar Missions

NASA has selected Jeff Bezos's space company, Blue Origin, to conduct the first of three planned uncrewed lunar missions. These robotic landings are scheduled to take place this year as part of a broader effort to prepare for the construction of a moon base estimated to cost $20 billion.

Blue Origin's Blue Moon lunar lander is the vehicle designated for these missions. The company is targeting a robotic landing on the moon's south pole, with the goal of completing the mission potentially by the end of 2026.

Technical Testing and Infrastructure

To support these objectives, Blue Origin's MK1 lander, nicknamed "Endurance," recently passed a critical NASA test involving a giant vacuum chamber. This test is described as the largest remaining hurdle before the vehicle's launch later this year.

Additionally, the company is preparing for the "Pathfinder Mission 1," which will utilize the New Glenn heavy-lift rocket for launch. This specific mission is designed to test the lander's engine, propulsion, and cryogenic power fluid.

Integration with Artemis Program

While the current focus is on uncrewed missions, the development of the Blue Moon lander is tied to NASA's long-term Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface. NASA has already introduced a full-size replica of the Blue Moon lander to assist astronauts with mission simulations and to gather design feedback.

Future iterations of the lander could be utilized for the Artemis IV mission. In such a scenario, the lander would rendezvous with NASA astronauts aboard an Orion vehicle in lunar orbit and ferry them to the surface to conduct moon walks and scientific experiments.

Competitive Landscape

Blue Origin is not the only private entity developing lunar transportation for the agency. Elon Musk's SpaceX is also developing lunar landers for NASA as part of the Artemis program's requirements.