Aerospace leader Dynetics has delivered a full-scale model of its lunar lander to NASA, positioning it as a contender to ferry astronauts to the Moon by 2024 under the Artemis initiative.
In May, NASA awarded contracts to Blue Origin, Dynetics, and SpaceX to develop human landing systems for the Artemis 3 mission, targeting the next man and first woman on the lunar surface in 2024.
Each team has been building prototypes for NASA's evaluation. Blue Origin led the way, delivering its full-scale model to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston last August for testing through early next year.
Dynetics recently presented its own full-scale prototype, matching the size of the historic Eagle module that carried Armstrong and Aldrin to the Moon. It features a crew module for four astronauts, deployable solar panels, and propellant tanks for descent and ascent. NASA engineers will analyze it to refine the design.
The lander is slated for launch on a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket, with Dynetics announcing two additional launches to deploy its external fuel tanks into orbit.
SpaceX plans to use its Starship vehicle, with multiple prototypes undergoing tests. This fully reusable spacecraft is designed for Earth-Moon round trips.
By 2021, NASA will select one or more designs, ensuring at least one is operational by 2024.
First, NASA must achieve key milestones: Artemis 1 next year, an uncrewed Orion capsule flight around the Moon via the SLS rocket. Artemis 2, with crew, is targeted for 2023.
