Blue Origin Protests NASA's Awarding of Moon Lander Contract to SpaceX

Blue Origin said on Monday it had filed a protest with the federal Government Accountability Office

 

HIGHLIGHTS

 

- The sought-after project aims to put humans back on the moon

- Elon Musk's SpaceX bid alone

- Blue Origin partnered with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Draper

 

Blue Origin, the space rocket company backed by billionaire Jeff Bezos, is formally challenging the $2.9-billion (roughly Rs. 21,650 crore) Moon lander contract awarded by NASA to rival Elon Musk's SpaceX.

 

Blue Origin said on Monday it had filed a protest with the federal Government Accountability Office, accusing NASA of moving the goalposts for contract bidders at the last minute.

 

NASA early this month awarded SpaceX the contract to build a spaceship to deliver astronauts to the moon as early as 2024, choosing Musk's company over Blue Origin and defense contractor Dynetics.

 

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The sought-after project aims to put humans back on the moon for the first time since 1972.

 

"NASA has executed a flawed acquisition for the Human Landing System programme and moved the goalposts at the last minute", Blue Origin said in an emailed statement.

 

"Their decision eliminates opportunities for competition, significantly narrows the supply base, and not only delays, but also endangers America's return to the moon. Because of that, we've filed a protest with the GAO."

 

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