A concept of Intuitive Machines’ proposed lander to the moon image: Intuitive Machines

NASA has awarded three companies contracts to launch robotic landers equipped with its technology to the moon, to conduct science investigations and test advanced technologies on the lunar surface. This is being done in preparation for a planned 2024 mission to the moon. The companies selected are Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic, Houston-based Intuitive Machines, and Edison, New Jersey-based Orbit Beyond.

Astrobotic, Intuitive Machines and Orbit Beyond have been awarded contracts of $79.5 million, $77 million and $97 million respectively for the mission. The three companies have proposed to fly a combined — up to — 23 payloads to the moon, with Astrobotic having the lion share with up to 14 proposed launches to the moon.

A concept of Astrobotic’s proposed lander to the moon image: Astrobotic

A concept of Orbit Beyond’s proposed lander to the moon image: Orbit Beyond

Astrobotic has proposed to fly up to 14 payloads to Lacus Mortis, a large hexagonal-shaped crater that’s one of the best known areas of the Moon, by July 2021. Intuitive Machines has proposed to fly as many as five payloads to Oceanus Procellarum, a large lunar mare on the western edge of the moon’s near side, by July 2021. Orbit Beyond has proposed to fly up to four payloads to Mare Imbrium, a vast lunar mare filling a basin on the Moon, by September 2020.

Each company will provide “end-to-end”commercial payload delivery services to NASA, with their different designs and approaches. These contracts are part of Artemis, a name given to NASA’s mission to land astronauts on the moon by 2024 and also establish a “sustained human presence” on and around the Moon by 2028.

Below is a video from NASA shedding more light on the robotic lander missions:

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