NASA Picks SpaceX to Send Astronauts to the Moon

NASA has announced that it has chosen SpaceX for its lunar landing mission as part of the Artemis program as early as 2024. According to NASA Press release, SpaceX will receive $ 2.89 billion to build the lunar lander.

NASA chooses SpaceX for lunar mission

Notably, this will be the first commercial human lander to bring the next two American astronauts to the lunar surface since the Apollo program. What’s more, at least one of these astronauts will be the first woman on the moon. NASA also plans to get the first person of color through the Artemis program.

NASA had chosen SpaceX, Blue Origin and Dynetics as contenders to design and develop human landing systems (HLS) for the mission alongside a $ 967 million contract last year. SpaceX’s Starship has now won the deal, beating Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. That uses Raptor engines and a spacious cabin with two locks for astronauts moonwalks.

“With this award, NASA and our partners will complete the first manned demonstration mission to the surface of the Moon in the 21st century as the agency takes a step forward for women’s equality and deep space exploration through long term”. said Kathy Lueders, NASA associate administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate.

“NASA rules !! We are honored to be part of the @NASAArtemis team ”. wrote SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk on Twitter shortly after NASA’s announcement.

NASA says it will return to the Moon to ‘Scientific discovery, economic benefits and inspiration for a new generation’. It also aims to build a new habitat, rovers, power systems that should prove useful for your next jump to Mars.