The American space agency NASA announced that the project, within the framework of which astronauts will land on the surface of the Moon in 2024, will be implemented with the participation of 11 private commercial companies. Private enterprises will be involved in the development of landing modules, spacesuits, and other systems that will be required to carry out the landing of astronauts.
Let us recall that manned space exploration and the return of man to the Moon have been priorities since the victory of US President Donald Trump in the election. It is worth noting that the United States will cooperate not only with international partners, including Russia and Canada, but also with private companies leading developments in the space industry. NASA has already concluded an βopenβ contract with several private American companies, within the framework of which equipment and cargo will be transported to the Moon in the next 10 years.
In the future, NASA plans to build several reusable landing modules that will allow the crew of the future LOP-G orbital station to move to the lunar surface and back. Previously, it was planned to land people on the Moon only by 2028, but not so long ago the American government decided to speed up the process. Ultimately, it was announced that astronauts would land on the lunar surface in 2024.
Note that NASA will cooperate not only with corporations like Boeing or Aerojet Rocketdyne, but also with companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin. Preliminary contracts under the NextSTEP initiative worth $45 million have already been signed. In accordance with the agreements concluded, private companies will develop prototypes and estimate the time required for full development and production. If the presented results satisfy NASA, then the companies will become full participants in the initiative to return man to the Moon.
Source: 3dnews.ru