TESMANIAN by Evelyn Arevalo August 24, 2020
It has been almost fifty years since humans traveled to the moon. Only 24 humans have visited in history, no humans have returned since 1972. SpaceX is developing the technology that will enable humans to return to the lunar surface. The aerospace company has developed some of the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft that have demonstrated reliability to transport cargo and astronauts to orbit. SpaceX’s incredible track record landed it a deal under NASA’s Artemis program to develop a lunar optimized Starship to transport crew between lunar orbit and the surface of the Moon. “Last year, NASA announced Starship as eligible for the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative – to deliver payloads between Earth and the Moon, and to enable humans to return to the Moon,†SpaceX stated.
NASA’s Artemis program aims to launch the first woman and next man to the moon’s surface by 2024. The Artemis contract SpaceX earned is valued at $135 million to develop a lunar optimized version of Starship to conduct crewed missions. “The SpaceX human lander design is a single-stage solution with Starship, their fully reusable launch and landing system designed for travel to the Moon, Mars and beyond,†NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said earlier this year, “The proposal included an in-space propellant transfer demonstration and uncrewed test landing.â€
“NASA’s commercial partners will refine their lander concepts through the contract base period ending in February 2021. During that time, the agency will evaluate which of the contractors will perform initial demonstration missions,†NASA detailed in a press release.
More:
https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/spacex-spaceport
