NASA announces award of first contract for 2024 lunar mission Artemis

The power and propulsion element provides a communications relay capability for Nasa's Gateway, enabling it to serve as a mobile command and service module for human and robotic expeditions to the lunar surface.

“The power and propulsion element is a high-power, 50-kilowatt solar electric propulsion spacecraft – three times more powerful than current capabilities. As a mobile command and service module, the Gateway provides a communications relay for human and robotic expeditions to the lunar surface, starting at the Moon’s South Pole,” Nasa said, adding that this is one of the first steps of the agency’s Artemis lunar exploration plans.

“The power and propulsion element is the foundation of Gateway and a fine example of how partnerships with US companies can help expedite Nasa return to the Moon with the first woman and next man by 2024,” said Nasa administrator Jim Bridenstine. “It will be the key component upon which we will build our lunar Gateway outpost, the cornerstone of Nasa’s sustainable and reusable Artemis exploration architecture on and around the Moon.”

This firm-fixed price award includes an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity portion and carries a maximum total value of $375 million. The contract begins with a 12-month base period of performance and is followed by a 26-month option, a 14-month option and two 12-month options.

Spacecraft design will be completed during the base period, after which the exercise of options will provide for the development, launch, and in-space flight demonstration. The flight demonstration will last as long as one year, during which the spacecraft will be fully owned and operated by Maxar. Following a successful demonstration, Nasa will have the option to acquire the spacecraft for use as the first element of the Gateway. Nasa is targeting launch of the power and propulsion element on a commercial rocket in late 2022. 

“We’re excited to demonstrate our newest technology on the power and propulsion element. Solar electric propulsion is extremely efficient, making it perfect for the Gateway,” said Mike Barrett, power and propulsion element project manager at Nasa’s Glenn Research Centre in Cleveland.

“This system requires much less propellant than traditional chemical systems, which will allow the Gateway to move more mass around the Moon, like a human landing system and large modules for living and working in orbit,” he added.

Charged with returning to the Moon within five years, Nasa’s lunar exploration plans are based on a two-phase approach: the first is focused on speed – landing on the Moon by 2024 – while the second will establish a sustained human presence on and around the Moon by 2028. We then will use what we learn on the Moon to prepare to send astronauts to Mars.

Nasa is tapping 11 American companies to advance human lunar landers. A Michigan company will similarly help Nasa build moon rocket and accelerate missions.

The Moon missions are named Artemis after the Greek goddess of the Moon and twin sister of Apollo. On 13 May, the White House submitted an amendment to the FY 2020 budget request to help NASA implement a sustainable, open, long-term programme of lunar exploration.