NewsPhysics

NASA and its two human landing system providers, Blue Origin and SpaceX, have simplified the design of their future lunar descent vehicles and revised their operational concepts for upcoming crewed missions. The goal is to accelerate the development schedule and advance the landings within the Artemis programme, which aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface and establish a lasting human presence on our natural satellite.

Since the agency signed its initial contracts with both companies, teams have worked to reduce the technical complexity of the vehicles and adjust the approach, descent and landing phases. These revisions respond to the need to lock in a realistic schedule for crewed missions planned for 2028, within NASA's broader effort to maintain a sustained presence on the Moon.

“Since the agency signed its initial contracts with both companies, teams have worked to reduce the technical complexity of the vehicles and adjust the approach, descent and landing phases.”