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NASA Races to Moon: SpaceX & Blue Origin Lander Test Nears
24 Oct
Summary
- Artemis III will test competing SpaceX and Blue Origin lunar landers.
- A low-Earth orbit test mission is scheduled for next year, before 2028 lunar landing.
- Both companies' landers must undergo rigorous testing and demonstrations.
NASA is advancing its Artemis program with a renewed focus on testing lunar lander vehicles from SpaceX and Blue Origin for a critical low-Earth orbit mission next year. This mission, Artemis III, is a stepping stone before the planned crewed lunar landing in 2028.
Both SpaceX's Starship and Blue Origin's Blue Moon Mark 2 are undergoing development, with distinct design approaches. Starship is a massive, two-part system, while Blue Moon is designed to launch within Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket. Both require extensive testing and demonstrations to prove their capabilities.
The Artemis III test mission is described as potentially the most complex launch campaign ever undertaken, involving multiple rocket launches and docking maneuvers. This mission will help vet landers for Artemis IV, which aims to be the first human lunar landing since 1972.
NASA is also simplifying other Artemis components, including the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, and developing lighter moonwalking spacesuits. The agency is focused on overcoming challenges and ensuring mission timelines are met, especially in light of international competition.
