SpaceX has won a unique NASA contract, which will help in delivering supplies to the NASA’s yet to be built Moon orbiting outpost. NASA has taken in the cargo craft from SpaceX, which the company is yet to make, the spacecraft will ship the supplies to the outpost.
SpaceX Dragon XL to ship supplies to Lunar outpost
The SpaceX Robotic Dragon XL is a cylindrical spacecraft, which will carry out shipments to the Space platform Gateway. It will be the first commercial provider to win the logistics services contract from NASA. The Artemis project from NASA shares the various elements of the Gateway, which will be sent to the lunar orbit in the first few years of this decade. The project is the initial roadmap to the crewed landing on the Moon by the year 2024.
SpaceX first to win NASA contract
SpaceX wins the first contract from NASA for the Gateway Lunar outpost supply delivery. The contact is like the commercial resupply services contracts, which NASA holds with Sierra Nevada Corps, Northrop Grumman, and SpaceX for sending shipments to the International Space Station.
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Falcon Heavy Rockets to Launch the Cargo Ships
The Falcon Heavy rockets from the company will launch the Dragon XL Cargo ships in the lunar outpost. They will deliver the unpressurized and pressurized cargo and the various supplies to the crew. The vessel can carry up to a lad of 5 tons each.
NASA Speaks about the Contract
NASA administrator Jim Bridgestone said in a news release;
“This contract award is another critical piece of our plan to return to the Moon sustainably. The Gateway is the cornerstone of the long-term Artemis architecture, and this deep-space commercial cargo capability integrates yet another American industry partner into our plans for human exploration at the Moon in preparation for a future mission to Mars.”
SpaceX COO Shares the Details of the Contract
SpaceX’s Resident and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell said,
“The Returning to the Moon and supporting future space exploration requires the affordable delivery of significant amounts of cargo. Our partnership with NASA, SpaceX has been delivering scientific research and critical supplies to the International Space Station since 2012, and we are honored to continue the work beyond Earth’s orbit and carry Artemis cargo to Gateway.”
Indefinite Delivery and Quantity of supplies
The fixed-price contract from NASA is for unlimited quantity and delivery of the supplies. The maximum total value of all the deals is 7 Billion dollars for NASA as it works on various missions.