NASA said on Friday April 16 that it had awarded a $ 2.9 billion contract to SpaceX, the company outer space billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s private company, to build a spacecraft to take astronauts to the moon by early 2024, beat Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and defense contractor Dynetics Inc.
The proposal by Musk, who is also the CEO of Tesla Inc., beat that of Bezos, founder of Amazon.com Inc., which partners with Lockheed Martin Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp. and Draper. Bezos also owns The Washington Post.
Read Also
- Mallorca leads another uptick in Covid case numbers in the Balearics Jul 20, 2021
- If we could choose, what is the best vaccine against covid-19? May 28, 2021
- Covid, Hope: “Pandemic is not over, new pitfalls variants” Jul 12, 2021
- Vaccination obligation, Galli: “If Draghi manages to introduce it, it will rise in my estimation” Sep 2, 2021
- It seems that Brad Pitt would finally have a girlfriend. Her name is Andra Day and she is an actress and singer Jun 3, 2021
- Covid today Italy, Rt slightly down: incidence rises Sep 3, 2021
- Cecilia Bracamonte announces her return to the stage Sep 2, 2021
Also Read: Remembering Yuri Gagarin, 500 Unmanned Aircraft Light Up Russia’s Skies
The US space agency announced a contract for the first commercial human landing – which is part of NASA’s Artemis program – in a video conference. NASA says its lander will carry two American astronauts to the lunar surface.
“We have to complete the next landing as quickly as possible,” said Steve Jurczyk, acting NASA administrator. “This is an extraordinary time to be involved in human exploration, for all of humanity.”
“If they reach their milestone, we have a chance in 2024,” added Jurczyk.
Also Read: NASA Delays Inaugural Flight of Ingenuity Helicopter, Why Yes?
NASA says it will need a test flight to the moon before humans can make such a flight.
NASA official Mark Kirasich said the agency hopes to see all three companies competing for the initial lunar landings race to provide a shuttle to the moon.
(Ari)
