As part of the Artemis program, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is looking for concepts for a second sustainable lunar lander to join SpaceX's Starship on lunar missions.
Nearly six months after NASA revealed its plans for the Sustaining Lunar Development (SLD) competition, PC Mag said a call for entries was released on Friday. The deadline for entries is Nov. 15, and an announcement of the winners is anticipated in May 2023.
Uncrewed and crewed lunar landing tests are part of NASA's $2.89 billion contract with SpaceX for the Artemis III mission, which would deliver the first woman and the first person of color to the Moon no earlier than 2025.
NASA Asks for Another Artemis Moon Lander
As it prepares for the crewed expedition of its astronauts to the moon, Digital Trends said NASA is planning to add another lunar lander.
The news source points out that the US space agency has already acknowledged its willingness to consider lunar landing proposals from other businesses.
And it appears that day has finally come this time.
According to a report by Space News, NASA intends to award two contracts for lunar landers. While the second one is designed exclusively for uncrewed missions, the first is intended to transport their people to the moon.
The space agency announced the opening of ideas for a new lunar landing around six months after announcing the ambitious Sustaining Lunar Development SLD project in March.
An image of an artist's illustration of an Artemis astronaut stepping from a Moon lander onto the lunar surface.
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Lisa Watson-Morgan, the program manager for the Human Landing System (HLS), went into further detail about the recent "solicitation."
Morgan from the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center said work under this proposal and existing lander development and research underway would help lay the framework for long-term deep space exploration.
About SpaceX's Lunar Lander
The fact that SpaceX is already preparing to return NASA astronauts to the moon for the next Artemis missions is worth mentioning.
What does it signify, though, that NASA is looking for a new design for a lunar lander?
According to the space agency, the chosen companies for new crewed and uncrewed landers are intended to assist SpaceX with the Artemis 3 mission.
Space News said the first crewed expedition under the Artemis program is expected to land by 2025.
Meanwhile, Digital Trends emphasizes that SpaceX's Artemis lunar lander development encountered some difficulties along the road.
A rival space company, Blue Origin, protested the decision after NASA chose SpaceX to develop a lunar lander. After the space business sued NASA, the situation became somewhat contentious.
Given that, it is unclear whether Blue Origin will take a gamble and attempt a launch this time.
RELATED ARTICLE: NASA Requests Proposal for Second Lunar Lander For Artemis Program to Join SpaceX for Its Moon Landing Mission
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