NASA’s Second Artemis Moon Liner: SpaceX’s Role Explained

Yes, NASA has selected a second company, Blue Origin, to develop a lunar lander for its Artemis program, complementing the initial choice of SpaceX. This means NASA now works with both SpaceX and Blue Origin on separate human landing systems for different Artemis missions, not as a joint team on the same lander.

Formula

The calculator above computes the average speed of a spacecraft traveling to the Moon over a given mission duration. The formula is:

Average speed (km/h) = Distance to Moon (km) ÷ (Mission duration (days) × 24 hours/day)

Where:

• Distance to Moon (km) – the average distance from Earth to the Moon, about 384,400 km (238,855 miles).
• Mission duration (days) – the total time from launch to arrival at the Moon, including any parking orbits or coasting phases.
• Average speed (km/h) – the mean speed over the entire journey, assuming a direct path and no stops.

Worked Example

Using the default values: a mission duration of 30 days and a distance of 384,400 km.

1. Convert days to hours: 30 days × 24 hours/day = 720 hours.
2. Divide distance by time: 384,400 km ÷ 720 hours = 533.89 km/h.
3. Round to 2 decimals: 533.89 km/h.

The calculator shows 533.89 km/h, matching the manual calculation. This speed is much lower than actual Apollo missions (which took about 3 days, giving ~5,300 km/h) because the default is a longer, more realistic mission profile with loiter time.

Why NASA Chose a Second Lunar Lander

NASA’s Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence. Initially, in 2021, NASA awarded SpaceX a contract to develop the Starship Human Landing System (HLS) for Artemis III, the first crewed landing. However, to ensure competition, resilience, and redundancy, NASA later announced a second lander contract in 2023, selecting Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 1 (cargo) and Mark 2 (crew) lander. This dual-provider approach mirrors NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) model, which successfully fostered multiple commercial cargo providers.

The decision was partly driven by delays and technical challenges with Starship, as well as a desire to avoid a single point of failure. With two landers, if one encounters issues, the other can still fly, keeping the Artemis timeline on track.

How the Two Landers Differ

SpaceX’s Starship HLS is a massive, fully reusable spacecraft that will launch on the Super Heavy rocket. It requires orbital refueling via multiple tanker launches. Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander is smaller, uses a single launch of the New Glenn rocket, and features a cryogenic propulsion system with liquid hydrogen and oxygen. It also has a unique “tug� stage for lunar descent. Key differences:

• Launch vehicle: Starship uses SpaceX’s Super Heavy; Blue Moon uses Blue Origin’s New Glenn.
• Refueling: Starship needs multiple refueling launches; Blue Moon does not for its mission profile.
• Capacity: Starship can carry more crew and cargo; Blue Moon is designed for 4 crew members for shorter stays.
• Landing zone: Both target the lunar South Pole, but with different precision capabilities.

Mission Assignments and Timeline

NASA has assigned the landers to specific missions:

• Artemis III (planned for 2026) – SpaceX Starship HLS will carry two astronauts to the lunar surface.
• Artemis IV (planned for 2028) – SpaceX Starship HLS will be used again, but with an upgraded version that docks with the Gateway station.
• Artemis V (planned for 2030) – Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 2 will perform its first crewed landing.

These dates are subject to change, as NASA’s Inspector General has noted schedule risks. The Artemis II mission, a crewed flyby, is currently targeted for late 2025.

Common Misconceptions

A frequent misunderstanding is that SpaceX and Blue Origin are working together on the same lander. They are not. They are separate contractors with distinct vehicles. Another myth is that NASA is “replacing� SpaceX with Blue Origin. In reality, NASA is diversifying its portfolio. Also, some believe that the landers will launch directly from Earth to the Moon. In fact, both will be assembled or refueled in Earth orbit before heading to the Moon.

Cost and Funding

NASA’s contracts are fixed-price, meaning the companies bear cost overruns. The SpaceX HLS contract was valued at $2.89 billion. Blue Origin’s contract is $3.4 billion. These amounts cover development, testing, and one crewed mission each. NASA has also invested in the Gateway station, which will serve as a staging point for Artemis IV and beyond.

Safety and Reliability Considerations

Both landers must meet NASA’s safety standards, including abort scenarios and life support. Starship’s refueling process is a key risk, as it requires many launches. Blue Moon uses proven cryogenic engines but has not yet flown in space. NASA requires extensive uncrewed test flights before crewed missions. The agency also emphasizes international cooperation, with the Artemis Accords guiding lunar exploration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Blue Origin replacing SpaceX for Artemis?

No. SpaceX remains the primary lander for Artemis III and IV. Blue Origin is an additional provider for Artemis V and beyond, ensuring redundancy and competition.

Why did NASA pick two companies instead of one?

To reduce risk and foster competition. If one lander faces delays or failures, the other can still fly. This approach has worked in commercial cargo and crew programs.

Can both landers be used for the same mission?

No. Each mission is assigned to a specific lander. They are not interchangeable in flight, but they share common docking standards with Gateway and Orion.

How much does it cost to send astronauts to the Moon?

NASA’s contracts are fixed at $2.89 billion for SpaceX and $3.4 billion for Blue Origin, but these are development costs. Total program costs, including Orion and SLS, are much higher, estimated at over $90 billion through 2025.

What is the difference between Artemis III and Artemis V?

Artemis III is the first crewed landing, using Starship. Artemis V is the third landing, using Blue Moon, and will also deliver the European Service Module for Gateway. Artemis IV will involve a Gateway docking.

Will astronauts stay on the Moon for a long time?

Initial Artemis missions will last about 6.5 days on the surface. Future missions with Gateway may allow longer stays, but no permanent base is planned yet.

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in t | Mission duration (days) | days | 30 | 1 | 365
in d | Distance to Moon (km) | km | 384400 | 0 | 1000000
out speed | Average speed (km/h) | km/h | d / (t * 24) | 2
out time_h | Total hours | h | t * 24 | 0