NASA has announced contracts with five U.S. companies to support the Artemis Moon program, including Blue Origin, which is currently suing the space agency over a separate lunar lander contract. Blue Origin will receive $25.6 million under the agency's Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) Appendix N: Sustainable Human Landing System Studies and Risk Reduction, according to a NASA press release. The funding is intended for studies and risk reduction activities to mature lunar lander concepts, not for the development of a full landing system.
The award comes amid a legal battle between Blue Origin and NASA over the Human Landing System (HLS) contract, which was awarded to SpaceX in August. Blue Origin had lobbied for the HLS contract, seeking up to $6 billion, but lost to SpaceX. The company subsequently filed a lawsuit against NASA, which has delayed the HLS development and, by extension, the Artemis program's timeline.
The lawsuit has also intensified a public feud between Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who have exchanged barbs on social media. An anonymous NASA source told Ars Technica last month that Blue Origin "will never get a real government contract after this," reflecting the strained relationship.
Funding Under Disputed Contract Section
The new contract awards fall under a different section of the same HLS contract that Blue Origin is contesting. This means Blue Origin may now be working on studies that support SpaceX's HLS vision, a situation that adds a layer of irony to the ongoing dispute.
NASA's selection of five companies, including Blue Origin, is part of its broader effort to ensure a robust lunar exploration program. The agency aims to return astronauts to the Moon by 2024, a goal that has faced technical and legal hurdles. The NextSTEP Appendix N awards are designed to reduce risks and inform future lander development, with the potential for multiple providers in the long term.
The Artemis program, named after Apollo's twin sister, represents NASA's push to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon, with an eye toward eventual Mars missions. The program has faced criticism for its cost and timeline, but NASA has maintained that it is on track despite the legal challenges.
Blue Origin's receipt of this funding, while its lawsuit proceeds, highlights the complex relationship between the agency and its commercial partners. It also underscores the competitive dynamics among billionaires in the new space race, where legal and contractual disputes are becoming as common as technological breakthroughs.
As the lawsuit continues, the impact on the Artemis timeline remains uncertain. NASA has previously stated that the legal proceedings could delay the Moon landing, but the agency is proceeding with its plans, including the recent contract awards. The outcome of the lawsuit could have broader implications for how NASA manages its commercial partnerships and handles disputes with major contractors.
