NASA plans to learn and prepare for the 2030s’ Mars Mission from experience. US space agency expects to learn more from the 2024 Moon mission under NASA’s Artemis program. Moreover, the ex-CEO of Amazon offered a $2 billion price cut on the Blue Origin Moon Lander.
All about the HLS and Bezos bailout
Earlier in April 2021, Blue Origins‘ rival company SpaceX won the $2.9 billion contract on the Human Landing System (HLS). However, Dynetrics and Blue Origin filed petitions against the award. The protests are now awaiting further action from the Accountability Office of the United States Government.
Since NASA plans to return to Moon by 2024 and learn from the Artemis program, Bezos found a new leeway. In his open letter to Bill Nelson, the current NASA administrator, Bezos offered to bridge the gap in funding. He suggested choosing a single contractor instead of the previously decided two. After all, it would reduce competition. “This offer is not a deferral, but is an outright permanent waiver.” Offered Bezos in his letter. Additionally, Blue Origin is lobbying to get the decision reversed on the HLS contract. Tit also led the Senate to pass a bill that agrees to add an additional $10 billion to the HLS. However, the legislation is still under debate and the whole fiasco is labeled as a Bezos bailout.
What is the Blue Origin Moon Lander Offer all about?
Bezos’ open letter highlighted the advantages of a contract with Blue Origin. He talked in length about the benefits of using the Blue Origin Moon Lander in the Artemis mission. Since the lander uses liquid hydrogen as fuel, it can be beneficial for NASA. NASA can mine this fuel from the lunar ice. After all, it aligns with NASA’s plan of using the Moon for fuelling space missions into deeper space. He also added that Blue Origin would test the Moon lander around the plant’s orbit. (chiringa.com) All this at no extra cost to NASA!
“We stand ready to help NASA moderate its technical risks and solve its budgetary constraints. And, put the Artemis Program back on a more competitive, credible, and sustainable path,” added Bezos. However, it is not clear if Bezos’ last-minute efforts and intervention will sway the contract.