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SpaceNut

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From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,882

Re: Blue Origin

Seems that after the most recent space x flight it's going to eat some crow for its earlier selection.
NASA Gives Blue Origin An Artemis Crewed Lunar Lander Contract After Bezos Snit

This is quite a bit different than what we saw proposed ealier under the RFP process.

NASA has awarded a contract worth $3.4 billion to Blue Origin toward the development of a lunar lander system for crewed missions to the Moon as part of the Artemis V project. The space agency is aiming for a crewed demo using the in-development Blue Moon lander ahead of the Artemis V mission in 2029. The contract is a bittersweet victory for the private space enterprise started by Jeff Bezos, after losing plum NASA contracts to Elon Musk-backed rival space agency, SpaceX. As part of the deal, NASA has asked Blue Origin to make some technical tweaks to its Blue Moon lander system in the same vein as SpaceX's Starship, which includes making space to accommodate more crew members, higher payload capacity, and the ability to support to long-duration missions.

As part of the Artemis mission, NASA will launch four astronauts into space aboard the Orion spacecraft. It will dock with Gateway, a multi-purpose space outpost circling the Moon that serves a key purpose for the Artemis missions and will also be used as a staging point for future space exploration missions. Once the crew leaves the lunar orbit station, they will proceed to the moon aboard Blue Origin's Blue Moon lander system with the goal of a soft landing.

The lander itself can provide power in the kilowatt range to the onboard payload, ensuring that it remains safe and functional for long-term missions and can survive the chilly lunar night-time conditions. This isn't the only NASA contract in Blue Origin's kitty. The space agency awarded $130 million to Blue Origin and Sierra Space for developing a private space station called Orbital Reef. Sierra Space expects the space station to be ready by 2027, but experts are of the opinion that it won't be ready until 2030.

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,882

Re: Blue Origin

Some more from reading

Under the terms of the contract, Blue Origin is obligated to conduct an initial uncrewed mission to the moon as a demonstration, followed by a crewed voyage that will transport astronauts to the lunar surface. The crewed mission is currently scheduled for the year 2029, the report noted.

Blue Origin, through the Sustaining Lunar Development program, secured the contract that NASA offered as a second chance contest. This opportunity arose after SpaceX, led by Musk, emerged as the sole victor in the previous crew lander contract awarded in 2021, valued at $2.89 billion.

However, even with both SpaceX and Blue Origin now holding contracts, the competition is far from concluded.

According to the agency, having two options for lunar landings through SpaceX and Blue Origin would result in increased competition, reduced costs for taxpayers, support for a regular schedule of lunar landings, further investment in the lunar economy and assist NASA in accomplishing its objectives on and around the moon.

Mars_B4_Moon

Member

Registered: 2006-03-23

Posts: 9,267

Re: Blue Origin

Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin lunar lander looks like a solid re-creation or inspiration of what has worked before, July the 19th day Apollo 11 passed behind the Moon and fired its service propulsion engine to enter lunar orbit, maybe the design of the lander stands out.

It is possible politically Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin played this in this own clever way, while Musk is busy with twitter, Bezos starts to cover other congressional district, networking with other companies and many other subcontractors it touches.

Blue Origin has some great designs but Space-X seems ahead in other areas, 'Gateway' has been chosen maybe  there is some international lunar bitcoin amazon commuter shuttle thing arriving in a future Moon base.

Others may ask Is there a political influence

For example Musk can be a little strange with statement to media and news, he bought twitter and some controversial Libertarian Conservative voices returned. Biden and Kamala Harris not the biggest fan of Musk and his car but they will support Ford and GM, Joe Biden he can already broadcast so he won't Pay Elon Musk $8 for a Twitter Blue Check Blue Origin is the winner of the second Artemis lunar lander contract today. Initially, NASA had hoped to fund more than one lander concept for the Artemis program — the logic being similar to how NASA approached commercial crew and cargo service for the International Space Station. In both ISS cases, the redundant approach adopted for ISS has proved to be a wise one.

https://spaceref.com/science-and-explor … -provider/

Dynetics could have been another similar option
Quote

Dynetics  also mention their many funded tasks related to their LOX/LNG engine tech and cryogenic propellant transfer (tests at NASA Marshall); mention their cargo lander capabilities; definitely indicative of them proposing to the NASA Sustained Lander Development (SLD)

https://twitter.com/Dynetics/status/1630946120896503808

The DyneticsHLS team has been hard at work completing numerous tests for the latest model.

https://twitter.com/Dynetics/status/1630946120896503808

Maybe Blue and team Bezos have looked at options for Car companies like GM, Ford or in Germany, Japan that will provide a Lunar vehicle or lunar utility vehicle available to provide critical assistance to astronauts

SL is already expensive so how could Blue/National Team and Dynetics reduce price.

Seems that after the most recent space x flight it's going to eat some crow for its earlier selection.NASA Gives Blue Origin An Artemis Crewed Lunar Lander Contract After Bezos Snit

Haven-1 stations, Bezos might finally deliver payload, a Moon with commercial payload plus supply of Solar and Nuclear?

https://www.blueorigin.com/news/nasa-se … n-to-moon/

OrbitalReef?

https://twitter.com/OrbitalReef/status/ … 4478598148

Habitat?

'We are thankful for Team Blue and their dedication to building the road to space for the benefit of Earth.'
https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1 … 6548465665

Robo Taxi?
https://twitter.com/JeffBezos/status/16 … 0786094080

Blue Origin wins NASA’s moon contract
https://www.postguam.com/business/blue- … 09c09.html

The shape was strange sf unique that Apollo 9 crew called their lunar module "Spider,"  1963 model depicts the LEM design which gave rise to informal references as "the bug" the Russian Soviet LK spacecraft looked spider like, Project Horizon, First Lunar Outpost, Advanced Gemini one-man lander also had spider-ish shapes.

Last edited by Mars_B4_Moon (2023-05-25 03:05:16)

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,882

Re: Blue Origin

Seems it was only last week we had number 1 and Now that Blue Origin has ‘landed’ its second lunar contract, what’s next? the “national team,” led by Blue Origin and including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Astrobotic and Honeybee Robotics

Blue Moon is divided into two parts. The first part is the actual lander, which will carry Artemis astronauts to the lunar surface. The second part is a refueling module that will carry propellant from Earth orbit to lunar orbit to top off the lander between missions

NASA is counting on that spirit of competition to lower costs and ensure that Artemis returns humans to the moon sooner rather than later.

Mars_B4_Moon

Member

Registered: 2006-03-23

Posts: 9,267

Re: Blue Origin

Blue Origin Is Planning To Open New Launch Sites Outside the US

https://science.slashdot.org/story/23/0 … ide-the-us

According to the Financial Times, Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin has announced plans to expand its operations to "Europe and beyond." Engadget reports

Mars_B4_Moon

Member

Registered: 2006-03-23

Posts: 9,267

Re: Blue Origin

Blue Origin's NS-22 crew in suborbital space in these highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxTlIp83kE4

Void

Member

Registered: 2011-12-29

Posts: 7,110

Re: Blue Origin

While I am disappointed by the delays for Starship, I am happy for each hint at a better space future.

I look forward to possibly living another 5 years to perhaps see several space companies expanding their services available.

https://www.blueorigin.com/news/blue-or … y-platform
Quote:

Expanding upon its mission to build a road to space for the benefit of Earth, Blue Origin has unveiled Blue Ring, a spacecraft platform focused on providing in-space logistics and delivery.

As long as Jeff Bezos is willing to finance these things, then eventually I have to believer that even New Glen will become real.

Done

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Done.

Mars_B4_Moon

Member

Registered: 2006-03-23

Posts: 9,267

Re: Blue Origin

NASA Chooses Blue Origin's Rocket To Launch Smallsat Mission To Mars

https://science.slashdot.org/story/23/1 … on-to-mars

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,882

Re: Blue Origin

Bold move to Will Blue Origin Buy Boeing and Lockheed's Space Venture?

Mars_B4_Moon

Member

Registered: 2006-03-23

Posts: 9,267

Re: Blue Origin

Finally! Blue Origin’s New Glenn Goes Vertical on the Launch Pad

https://www.universetoday.com/165850/fi … aunch-pad/