NASA has selected SpaceX to take people back to the moon

NASA has decided to select SpaceX to land the first astronauts on the surface of the Moon. As part of the Artemis program, NASA will send astronauts to explore more of the moon and the launch will take place with the most powerful rocket in history, the SLS (Space Launch System). However, an additional spacecraft is needed and SpaceX is ready for its construction.

The contract, worth $2.9 billion, involves the prototype Starship spacecraft that is being tested at Elon Mask’s, SpaceX facility. However, in terms of technical characteristics, the company hasn’t revealed more information, except that HLS will have engines Raptor of SpaceX, used in rockets Falcon, also will add one cabin crew and two outputs, in order to descend to the lunar surface.

According to Kathy Lueders, NASA's associate administrator for Human Explorations and Operations Mission Directorate:

With this award, NASA and our partners will complete the first crewed demonstration mission to the surface of the Moon in the 21st century as the agency takes a step forward for women’s equality and long-term deep space exploration. This critical step puts humanity on a path to sustainable lunar exploration and keeps our eyes on missions farther into the solar system, including Mars.

Also, Lisa Watson-Morgan, program manager for HLS at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, said:

This is an exciting time for NASA and especially the Artemis team. During the Apollo program, we proved that it is possible to do the seemingly impossible: land humans on the Moon. By taking a collaborative approach in working with industry while leveraging NASA's proven technical expertise and capabilities, we will return American astronauts to the Moon's surface once again, this time to explore new areas for longer periods of time.

The Artemis program was scheduled for 2024, however, with the change of government in the US, there may be some delays due to funding issues.