Race To The Moon: NASA awards both Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk contracts to put humans on the Moon – Firstpost
After awarding Elon Musks SpaceX a $3 billion contract to put humans on the Moon by 2025, NASA has also awarded a similar contract to Jeff Bezos Blue Origin, worth $3.4 billion.
In a recent statement, Jeff Bezos announced that his private space exploration company, Blue Origin had secured a significant contract worth $3.4 billion with NASA, bringing him closer to his goal of sending humans to the Moon.
NASA expands its Artemis programmeNASA revealed that Bezos private rocket company, Blue Origin, has been awarded the contract as part of the Artemis programme, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon. Unfortunately for Bezos, Musks SpaceX was granted a similar Artemis contract back in 2021, positioning Musk and his company way ahead in the race. For their part, Musks SpaceX recently conducted a successful launch of their Starship rocket that is supposed to be used for the Artemis mission.
With Musk and SpaceX leading the way, NASAs recent contract with Blue Origin intensifies the competition between the two billionaires. Over the years, Bezos and Musk have engaged in some heated debates, exchanging jabs regarding their respective efforts to spearhead humanitys space exploration endeavours.
In an Instagram post, Jeff Bezos expressed his excitement by declaring, We are going to the Moon! Accompanying the statement was a depiction of Blue Origins proposed lunar lander, hinting at Bezos intention to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon. This indicates that his mission carries a more ambitious scope compared to Musks efforts.
Jeff Bezos had sued SpaceX beforeIn 2021, Elon Musks SpaceX secured a $3 billion contract from NASA to facilitate human return to the Moon, marking the first such mission since 1972. Bezos and Blue Origin had also vied for the contract but were unsuccessful. They subsequently filed a complaint and launched a lawsuit, both of which were ultimately dismissed by the Government Accountability Office and federal court, respectively.
Also read: Up, up and away: As Blue Origin makes its sixth flight, how much does space tourism cost and will it ever be affordable?
NASA emphasized that the upcoming missions will explore a greater expanse of the lunar surface than ever before. The objective of sending humans back to the Moon is to conduct research that will contribute to the eventual launch of similar missions to Mars.
While announcing Blue Origins contract, NASAs chief administrator, Bill Nelson, expressed a positive outlook on the competition and stated that the agency welcomes more contenders in this space race.
During a conference at NASA HQ in Washington, Jeff Bezos highlighted the significance of having backups and reliability in space missions. He emphasized that having multiple providers ensures redundancy and increased mission success.
Blue Origins lunar lander head, John Couluris, revealed that the company had privately contributed an amount exceeding the $3.4 billion contract payout. This demonstrates the long-standing commitment of Bezos and his team to establish a permanent outpost on the Moon.
What will Blue Origin and SpaceX do for NASAs Artemis mission?While Blue Origin has been relatively discreet about the specifics of its Moon lander proposal, it has mentioned its corporate partners, including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Draper (a spacecraft software firm), and Astrobotic (a robotics firm), as part of Artemis V mission.
Also read: SpaceX says they intentionally blew up their Starship rocket during launch, calls launch a success
Elon Musks NASA Artemis missions, utilizing SpaceXs Starship system, are planned for later in the decade, with Blue Origins missions currently scheduled for 2029, shortly after.
Blue Origins Artemis V mission aims to deploy astronauts to the lunar surface, specifically focusing on exploring the icy southern pole of the Moon. It will be the first Artemis mission to utilize NASAs proposed orbital Lunar Gateway in conjunction with a landing on the Moons surface.
On the other hand, NASA selected SpaceX to develop the first commercial human lander to safely carry the next two American astronauts to the lunar surface, as part of the Artemis III mission. The human landing system will be used for both Artemis III and Artemis IV.
As outlined in NASAs budget proposal from March, the mission involves delivering the European Space Agencys ESPRIT refuelling and communications module to NASAs Gateway, along with a Canadian-made robotic arm system. During the surface phase of the mission, the Artemis astronauts will also transport an unpressurized lunar rover, as indicated by NASAs working manifest chart.
Blue Origin validated?This contract is a significant achievement for Bezos and Blue Origin, as it validates their extensive investments since the companys establishment in 2000. Their aim has been to compete for prominent commercial and government space contracts, particularly with SpaceX, a dominant player in satellite launches and human spaceflight.
Blue Origin, along with lawmakers, exerted pressure on NASA to award a second lunar lander contract to promote commercial competition and ensure the agency has alternative means to reach the Moon. In response, NASA announced a program for a second lander contract in early 2022.
Read all theLatest News,Trending News,Cricket News,Bollywood News,India NewsandEntertainment Newshere. Follow us onFacebook,TwitterandInstagram.
Original post:
- Elon Musk seemingly calls out inside joke in new Tesla Robotaxi fare price: 'As foretold in the prophecy' - Yahoo Finance - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Elon Musk Said He Would 'Walk The Line Personally' Following $16.5 Billion Samsung Deal, Is this A Return To 'Wartime CEO' Mode? - Yahoo Finance - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Elon Musk explains why xAI is calling its staff engineers, not researchers - Business Insider - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Inspired by Elon Musk, a British tech millionaire eyes a remake of the state - politico.eu - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- What is Elon Musk's net worth? Boring Company, which plans Nashville tunnel, is just one of his six companies - The Tennessean - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Discover the Music City Loop: Why Elon Musk's Boring Company will dig under Nashville - The Tennessean - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Saturn, Jupiter and Elon Musk: meet the first female astronomer royal - The Times - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- US Senator sends letter to Elon Musk: Block Starlink in Southeast Asia's 'criminal compounds' using the s - Times of India - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- 5 charged after viral Cincinnati fight amid outcry from JD Vance, Elon Musk - USA Today - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Elon Musk says Tesla and Samsung have signed a $16.5 billion chip deal - CNN - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Elon Musk is going founder mode on Tesla's $16.5 billion chip deal with Samsung - Business Insider - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Tesla Inks $16.5 Billion Deal For AI With Samsung And Elon Musk Says This - Investor's Business Daily - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Simpsons creator predicts how world would react to Trumps death and Elon Musk landing on Mars - The Independent - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Elon Musk Is Furious That People Are Launching So Many Satellites, Even Though He's Personally Responsible for 60 Percent of All Satellites Currently... - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Tennessee partners with Elon Musk on Tesla tunnel between downtown Nashville and airport - WPLN News - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Elon Musk announces $16.5B deal between Samsung and Tesla - KVUE - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Sen. Bernie Moreno, Elon Musk respond to viral video of violence in downtown Cincinnati - WLWT - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Elon Musk's Boring Co. aims to transform Nashville transportation with new tunnel: Sources - The Tennessean - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Elon Musk Thinks Tesla Will Become the World's Most Valuable Company. I Predict Its Stock Could Plunge by 70% (or More) Instead. - The Motley Fool - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Elon Musk opens a Tesla Diner in Los Angeles: Heres all you need to know about the retro-futuristic spot thats a peak Tesla tech experience - The... - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Tesla Diner visitors SLAM the food at Elon Musk's Hollywood fast food joint - as one furious customer reveals the dismal reality of the $12 'Epic... - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Elon Musk joins outrage over man and woman being beaten to a pulp after Cincinnati jazz festival - Daily Mail - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Samsung inks $16.5 billion Tesla AI chip deal Elon Musk says Samsung will produce new A16 chips: 'The strategic importance of this is hard to... - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Elon Musk Tells Tesla Investors to Focus on a Future Filled With Robots, not EV Sales - The Wall Street Journal - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Elon Musk opened a diner in Hollywood. What could go wrong? I went to find out - The Guardian - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Elon Musk: 1M Nvidia GPUs? Nah, My Supercomputers Need the Power of 50M - PCMag - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Elon Musk Says He's Bringing Back Vine. Here's What It's All About. - Investopedia - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Elon Musk has a promise (for Tesla owners to rent robotaxis) and a wish (for more control of the EV company) - Fortune - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Elon Musk on Teslas new affordable electric car: its the Model Y - Electrek - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Elon Musk wants to start a third party but it will take more than just money | The Excerpt - USA Today - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Even Elon Musk sounds unconvinced about Tesla's future - Quartz - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Elon Musk Sees Rough Times Ahead for Tesla - The New York Times - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Teslas stock is tumbling after Elon Musk failed to shift the narrative - CNN - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Elon Musk fans flock to new Tesla Diner: See the opening day photos - USA Today - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Elon Musk says Tesla has started making the product investors have been begging for - Business Insider - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Tesla Earnings Call: Elon Musk Touts Robotaxis But Sounds This Warning Bell. - Investor's Business Daily - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Elon Musk says Tesla will start adding vehicles it doesnt directly own into its robotaxi network next year - Fortune - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Trump says he's not trying to 'destroy' Elon Musk's businesses by scaling back subsidies Tesla has thrived on - Business Insider - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Ike Barinholtz cast as Elon Musk in OpenAI film from Luca Guadagnino - The Guardian - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Trump walks back threat to strip fed money from Elon Musk companies as feud cools - New York Post - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Elon Musk is building a supercomputer in Memphis. Not everyone is loving it. | Opinion - USA Today - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Tesla Stock Crashed Today. Why Elon Musk Thinks It's Time to Buy. - The Motley Fool - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Cybertruck boxes and tacos: Elon Musk opens retro futuristic Tesla Diner in LA - The Guardian - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Tesla Profits Tank as Elon Musk Warns Worse Is Yet to Come - The Daily Beast - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Elon Musk: "We're Bringing Back Vine, But in AI Form", Whatever The Hell That Means - Barstool Sports - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Ike Barinholtz In Negotiations To Play Elon Musk In Luca Guadagninos AI-Themed Artificial - Deadline - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Elon Musk with a straight face: Tesla Robotaxi will cover half of US population by end of the year - Electrek - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Trump says he wants Elon Musk to thrive - TipRanks - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Vine Meme Coin Spikes After Elon Musk Says the App Is ReturningWith an AI Twist - Decrypt - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Elon Musk finally admits the new, more affordable Tesla is just a stripped down Model Y. - The Verge - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Trump admin live updates: Trump denies wanting to cut subsidies for Elon Musk - ABC News - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Elon Musk Says 'They Simply Don't' Have The Funding, Doubts Stargate AI - Yahoo Finance - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Photos show the Tesla Diner's grand opening in Hollywood, which Elon Musk has been teasing for years - Business Insider - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Why Does Elon Musk Have Such a Straight View of Antiquity? - Hyperallergic - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- He won a victory for Teslas European ownersnow one Elon Musk fan is pushing for FSD to finally come to Sweden - Fortune - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- I replaced my Tesla Model 3 with a BYD Seal. I want nothing to do with Elon Musk anymore. - Business Insider - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Elon Musk Says This Ahead Of Tesla Earnings, Even As Profit Expectations Keep Falling - Investor's Business Daily - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Why Ross Perot Caught the Zeitgeist and Elon Musk Might Not - Politico - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Elon Musk says: Back to working 7 days a week and sleeping in the office if ... - Times of India - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Elon Musks Empire Is Creaking Under the Strain of Elon Musk - Bloomberg.com - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Tesla CEO Elon Musk back to sleeping in the office ahead of earnings this week - New York Post - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Elon Musk Will Pay You a Lot to Create AI Avatars - eWEEK - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Elon Musk says hell launch the America Party. Can he get candidates on the ballot? - Missouri Independent - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Elon Musk's xAI tried to teach Grok how to be human by recording its own workers' faces - Business Insider - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- How Elon Musk Caused This Squirrel Memecoin To Spike With An Epstein Rant - Yahoo Finance - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Elon Musk says this unique Tesla project will expand to new regions - Teslarati - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- What is Baby Grok? Elon Musk announces new kid-friendly AI app for educational content - The Indian Express - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Elon Musk's latest blending of his business interests puts the Grok AI chatbot in all new Teslasand raises questions around data and privacy - Fortune - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Does Elon Musk believe in affirmative action after all? - Daily Kos - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- What Is Grok? Everything to Know About Elon Musk's AI Tool - CNET - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Did Elon Musk alter his phone number amid nasty fallout with Donald Trump? Surprising details revealed - Hindustan Times - Hindustan Times - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Elon Musk unveils new AI companion inspired by 50 Shades of Grey and Twilight - The Independent - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Elon Musk In 2025: What To Know About The World's Richest Person - Bankrate - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Elon Musk's Neuralink filed as 'disadvantaged business' before being valued at $9 billion - CNBC - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Royal Society suggested to Elon Musk he consider resigning science fellowship - The Guardian - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Elon Musk leaps to Donald Trumps defense following WSJ hit piece - The Independent - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Elon Musk Is Cashing In on the AI Romance Boom - Bloomberg - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Video Elon Musk posts on X criticizing Trumps handling of the Epstein files - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Elon Musk says hell launch the America Party. Can he get candidates on the ballot? - Stateline - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Elon Musk keeps adding fuel to Trumps Epstein scandal. It might be his most effective launch - San Francisco Chronicle - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]