As NASA works toward the goal of a regular lunar landing cycle, it is seeking proposals for sustainable development and demonstration of lunar landers. NASA is preparing to return humans to the Moon through the Artemis missions. This includes the landing of the first woman and the first person of color on the lunar surface, as well as long-term scientific discovery and exploration. NASA has provided requirements for companies interested in developing and demonstrating lunar landings for astronauts under the call, Human Landing System Sustaining Lunar Development. These efforts will pave the way for multiple companies to provide repeat lunar landing services beyond the Artemis III mission, which is currently planned for no earlier than 2025. To be selected under this contract, companies must perform one unmanned landing demonstration and one manned landing demonstration. NASA will certify any landing system to meet its requirements prior to crewed demonstration mission(s). “The work done under this call, in addition to the current development and lander studies taking place, will help lay the foundation for long-term deep space exploration,” said Lisa Watson-Morgan. She is a program manager for the Human Landing System program at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. “Partnering with American companies to do this work now allows us to leverage NASA’s knowledge and expertise to encourage technological innovations for a lasting presence on the Moon.” An artist’s rendering of an astronaut Artemis walking from a lunar lander onto the lunar surface. Credit: NASA This final RFP comes after NASA incorporated industry feedback on the draft RFP. This was released on March 31 and encouraged companies to send feedback to help shape a key element of human exploration of NASA’s Artemis architecture. In addition, NASA hosted a virtual industry day in April to provide an overview of the solicitation and give companies an opportunity to ask clarifying questions and provide feedback. NASA’s existing contract with SpaceX includes an uncrewed and crewed lunar landing demonstration as part of the Artemis III mission. This mission will mark humanity’s first return to the Moon in more than 50 years. The agency plans to exercise an option under that contract, known as Option B. That involves asking SpaceX to evolve the current Artemis III Starship Human Landing System design to meet an expanded set of requirements for sustaining missions to the Moon and conducting another manned landing demonstration. These concurrent lander development efforts will meet NASA’s needs for repeated, long-term access to the lunar surface. This includes the ability to connect to the Gateway for crew transport, accommodate an increased crew size, and provide more mass on the lunar surface. NASA’s Artemis efforts include landing the first woman and first person of color on the Moon, sending a series of new scientific instruments and technology demonstrations to study the Moon, and more. They will use their experiences and technologies at Artemis to prepare for the next giant leap – sending astronauts on a mission to Mars. Proposals for the sustainable development and demonstration of lunar landings should be submitted by November 15, 2022.
