Will Blue Origin and Bezos's Vision Help NASA Return to the Moon in 2024?

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has long been advocating for his company Blue Origin's involvement in space exploration, particularly in NASA's ambitious Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the Moon. While SpaceX has secured a substantial lead in the field of space travel, Blue Origin is seen as a potential game-changer. This article explores the possibility and potential of Blue Origin's involvement in NASA's moon mission in 2024.

Blue Origin's Place in Space Exploration

Despite being behind SpaceX in terms of rocket technology, Blue Origin has demonstrated significant potential by partnering with industry giants such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Draper. These partnerships allow Blue Origin to innovate and meet NASA's requirements without forging a fully independent path.

However, both SpaceX and Blue Origin face significant challenges. As of the current date, Blue Origin has not achieved a single orbital launch and has only performed a few test flights with New Shepard, a suborbital vehicle. SpaceX, on the other hand, has made significant advancements, including the successful launch of Starship prototypes and the planned lunar landings.

Could Blue Origin Help NASA Realize Its Moon Ambitions?

Arguably, the most vital contribution Blue Origin can offer to the Artemis program is the Blue Moon lunar lander. NASA currently lacks a lunar lander and has solicited various proposals from companies. Only Blue Origin is developing a lunar lander, whereas other companies do not have such deployments.

It remains uncertain whether the Blue Moon lander can be launched using NASA's Space Launch System (SLS). Alternatively, it could be launched via Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, which, although still under development, could potentially be operational in 2021. This timeline aligns with the SLS's initial launch dates, which are currently delayed.

Blue Origin's May 9, 2019, press event in Washington DC was strategically planned to showcase its capabilities to potential buyers. This event aimed to position Blue Origin as a viable option for NASA and other entities, especially in the face of varying launch vehicle and spacecraft plans. The announcement also aimed to appeal to the U.S. Congress, which holds the purse strings for NASA's budget.

Implications for the Artemis Program

NASA's Artemis program is setting the stage for the return of humans to the Moon, but it faces intense competition from various launch providers and spacecraft. Blue Origin's announcement adds a critical element to this competition. While NASA has not explicitly stated that the SLS is the only option for Exploration Mission 1, the uncrewed cislunar test flight, the inclusion of other launch providers could be advantageous.

Bezos's Strategic Approach

Jeff Bezos's vision for Blue Origin is to provide a versatile solution for NASA and other space exploration agencies. By positioning Blue Origin as a beneficial partner, Bezos is engaging with multiple stakeholders. This approach leverages Blue Origin's unique position in the market and aligns its interests with those of NASA and the U.S. Congress.

In conclusion, while Blue Origin faces challenges in terms of launches and timelines, its partnerships and potential contributions to the Artemis program make it a formidable player. The question remains whether NASA will leverage Blue Origin's capabilities, but the scenario presents a compelling argument for its inclusion in future moon missions.

Keywords: Blue Origin, NASA, Artemis project, Moon missions