NASA Picks Blue Origin, Other Space Firms for Moon Missions

NASA awarded contracts to space firms including Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Astrolab to send robotic landers, rovers and drones to ?support the upcoming lunar exploration missions. 

The U.S. space agency said on Tuesday it had awarded Astrolab $219 million ?and Lunar Outpost $220 million to build and ?deliver lunar terrain vehicles. 

Blue Origin was awarded ?a $188 million contract to deliver the rovers ?to



the moon's surface using its uncrewed cargo ?lunar lander, Mark 1.The contracts are part of NASA's broader Artemis program, which aims to expand humanity's footprint ?in space and support future deep-space exploration.

The ?agency said it also selected Firefly Aerospace (FLY.O), opens new tab to build the spacecraft ?that ?will transport drones from the Earth's orbit to the moon for its MoonFall mission, which is targeted for launch in 2028.