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The US space agency NASA is looking at private industry to build lunar landers. When complete, the spacecraft will be the first to bring astronauts to the moon’s surface in nearly 50 years.
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine announced last week that three companies will develop, build and fly the moon landers. All three are SpaceX from California; Blue origin from Washington state; and Dynetics of Alabama.
Dynetics is part of Leidos, the business formerly known as Science Applications International Corporation.
In total, the space agency agreed to pay the three companies a total of $ 967 million during the first 10 months of the project.
The goal is to return astronauts to the moon in 2024.
Bridenstine said: “This is the last piece we need to get to the moon” by 2024. He noted that it will be the first lunar lander since NASA’s Apollo 17 mission in 1972. That was the last time people walked in Moon .
In the next 10 months, each company will improve its design for a lunar lander. NASA officials will decide which lander to test first.
Bridenstine said the space agency will go with the company that is most likely to succeed by 2024.
NASA will use its own Orion capsules and the megarockets space launch system to launch astronauts to the moon. The Orion spacecraft and rockets are still under development.
Of the three winners contracts, Blue Origin will receive more than half of the total amount: $ 579 million. SpaceX raised $ 135 million. Dynetics will receive $ 253 million.
SpaceX’s proposed stellar lander is so high that astronauts will use a lift to get to and from the surface of the Moon.
The Blue Origin version will come with a great stairs, based on the images of the artists of the proposed lander.
The Dynetics lander is so close to the ground that it only takes a few steps for astronauts to reach the moon’s surface. NASA gave the design high marks for safety and efficiency.
Just last November, SpaceX and Blue Origin were among the companies that won contracts to transport load to the moon.
NASA wants the new Artemis moon landing program to continue for some time, and several trips to different areas of the lunar surface are expected.
While only one company will take the first woman and the next man to the surface of the moon, all three will take part in the lunar landing program, authorities said.
By learning to live and work on the moon, NASA will be in a better position to send astronauts to Mars, Bridenstine said.
In a video call with reporters, Elon Musk of SpaceX noted “the potential for an incredibly exciting future in space.”
Dynetics Vice President of Space Systems Kim Doering said her team is excited not only around 2024, but also the long-term lunar economy.
Blue Origin boss Bob Smith was pleased with the announcement. “Going to the moon is the reason we got into this business,” he said.
I’m John Russell
Marcia Dunn reported this story to the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.
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Words in this story
capsule – n. a small container
contract – n. a trade agreement
lift – n. A machine used to transport people and things to different levels in a building
stairs – n. A structure used to raise or lower something
efficiency – n. the ability to do or produce something without wasting materials, time, or energy; the quality of being efficient
load – n. something that is transported from one place to another by boat or plane
take part – v. being involved with others in doing something; participate in an activity or event with others
excite – v. to cause strong feelings or interest
