Blue Origin Reveals Full-Scale Model of Future Lunar Cargo Lander

Blue Origin has revealed a life - sized model of its approaching lunar shipment lander , Blue Moon Mark 1 ( MK1 ) , achieving a significant step in its plans to facilitate payload rapture to the Moon ’s surface .

On Friday , Blue Originshowed offa demonstrator of the Blue Moon Mark 1 , providing the world and the aerospace community the first lifetime - similar glimpse of the next lunar cargo lander . This development is crucial for NASA ’s Artemis programme , which direct to recall humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable human presence there by the end of the tenner .

This unveiling is in keeping withBlue Origin ’s $ 3.4 billion contract with NASA , announced on May 19 . Under this contract bridge , Blue Origin is tax with designing , construction , examination , and verifying the human landing system , known as Blue Moon . Blue Moon Mark 1 is part of the deal — a lunar cargo lander that will attend to as a pathfinder commission for the human - rated version . Blue Origin has partnered with several firms for the project , forming the National Team lie in of Lockheed Martin , Boeing , Draper , Astrobotic , and Honeybee Robotics .

Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson during the unveiling at the company’s Huntsville, AL, facility.

Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson during the unveiling at the company’s Huntsville, AL, facility.Photo: Blue Origin

Impressive visit to the@blueoriginHuntsville Engine Production Facility!@NASAis proud to partner with Blue Origin , specially on the Blue Moon human landing arrangement , which will assist ensure a steady cadence of astronauts on the Moon to live and work before we hazard to Mars.pic.twitter.com/7AxwtLuHw4

— Bill Nelson ( @SenBillNelson)October 27 , 2023

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson attend the first appearance at the company ’s production installation in Huntsville , Alabama , a gathering that also included Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos . The example appear in white with a striking golden trim , including Blue Origin ’s iconic feather logotype .

A conceptual image of Blue Origin’s MK1.

A conceptual image of Blue Origin’s MK1.Image: Blue Origin

The 52 - foot - tall ( 16 - meter ) Blue Moon will be uncommitted in two configurations : one tailored for landing humans on the lunar surface and another for delivering cargo and equipment . Both configurations are adequate to of deliver up to 30 metric tons . “ Our Blue Moon Lander are architected for that next Clarence Shepard Day Jr. when lunar chalk can be used to manufacture [ fluid oxygen ] and [ liquid hydrogen ] propellent on the Moon , ” Blue Originexplainedover X.

Blue Moon MK1 is a individual - launch lunar cargo lander design to remain on the Moon ’s surface , providing a reliable and economical solution for access to the lunar environment . It ’s orchestrate to leverage the 23 - foot ( 7 - meter ) fairing of the company ’s coming New Glenn launch vehicle , enabling it to redeem up to 3 metrical tons of payload to any locating on the lunar surface , accordingto Blue Origin .

Blue Origin ’s lunar lander is set to roleplay a critical role in NASA ’s crewed Artemis 5 mission , scheduled for 2029 . In parallel , SpaceX has also been contracted to develop the human landing organisation for the preceding Artemis 3 ( schedule for 2025 or 2026 ) and Artemis 4 ( around 2028 ) deputation , highlighting NASA ’s dedication to act with a diverse curing of commercial partner .

Conceptual image of Blue Origin’s Blue Moon human landing system.