NASA Advances Moon Base Plans with Perimeter Discussions
▼ Summary
– NASA awarded contracts for two approximately one-ton rovers, built by Astrolab and Lunar Outpost, to support a lunar base, with delivery expected in 2028.
– The rovers, named CLV-1 and Pegasus, have a 200 km range and can drive autonomously or be operated by astronauts.
– Blue Origin will deliver each rover to the Moon using its Blue Moon Mark 1 lander, with contracts totaling $280.4 million.
– These awards increase Blue Origin’s role in NASA’s Moon plans, including cargo delivery and support for future human missions.
– NASA officials noted that despite past lunar visits, much remains unknown about conditions on the Moon’s surface.
NASA is moving forward with its ambitious lunar base plans, announcing key contract awards on Tuesday for the first essential components of a permanent outpost on the Moon. The agency revealed it has selected two companies to build rovers that will give astronauts critical mobility across the lunar terrain.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman used the occasion to reinforce momentum behind the Moon Base initiative, which was first unveiled two months ago as part of the agency’s broader return to the lunar surface. “For those waiting patiently, the grand return is close at hand, and we will not slow down,” Isaacman stated.
Carlos Garcia-Galan, the manager for the lunar base program, confirmed that the space agency has chosen Astrolab and Lunar Outpost to construct rovers weighing roughly one ton each, with delivery to the Moon scheduled for 2028. Astrolab will receive $219 million for its “CLV-1” rover, while Lunar Outpost will get $220 million for its “Pegasus” rover. Both awards build on initial contracts issued two years ago. Each rover is designed to travel up to 200 kilometers autonomously, guided by operators on Earth, and can also be driven directly by astronauts.
Garcia-Galan further announced that Blue Origin, using its Blue Moon Mark 1 lander, will deliver each rover separately to the lunar surface. These two delivery contracts are valued at a combined $280.4 million.
These awards solidify Blue Origin’s growing role in NASA’s lunar strategy. The company is already contracted to fly large amounts of cargo using the Mark 1 lander, including the Viper vehicle, and is developing its larger Mark 2 lander for future human missions.
A recurring theme during Tuesday’s press conference was the stark reality that, decades after humanity first set foot on the Moon, we still have much to learn about the conditions on the lunar surface. The new rovers and landers are designed not just to transport people and equipment, but to help fill in those knowledge gaps as NASA prepares for a sustained presence.
(Source: Ars Technica)
