Intuitive Machines Leads Missions Intent On Moon Race Long Game
USA Newspace Company Intuitive Machines Set For
Oct 2021 IM-1 Launch; 100-kg Payload Capacity Nova-C Built With US$77M CLPS Award Aims To Reach Vallis Schröteri Carrying 5 NASA Payloads: ROLSES, SCALPSS, LN-1, NDL, LRA; Multiple Independent Payloads: Embry-Riddle To Capture Landing With ‘Eagle Cam’ Deploying Prior To NOVA-C Touchdown; International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA Hawai’i) To Place Precursor Instrument ILO-X, Catch First Light Image Of MWG Center; Spacebit UK Sending 0.5U Micro Rover; IM To Follow With $47M NASA PRIME-1 Suite, 4G Communications Build-out Via ‘Lunar Hopper’ With Nokia In Late 2022
Credits: IM
Administrator Jim Bridenstine Signals Term Will Not Extend Into Biden/Harris Government, Reported By Aerospace Daily; Current NASA Head Ranks “Continuity Of Purpose” As Vital Aspect Of Program Success, Which Has Seen Lunar Progress Stymied By Inter-Administration Reprioritization In Past; “Bipartisan, Apolitical… Strong Support For Artemis” Found On “Both Sides Of The Aisle”, Bridenstine Assures; With Appointment 23 April 2018, The 13th NASA Administration May Be Shorter In Duration Than Historically Typical, However Achievements (Building Artemis Coalition, Human Lander Contracts) Have Significantly Advanced Space / Lunar Exploration Momentum
Administrator Jim Bridenstine Says NASA Wants To Recreate “The Awe Of Apollo For A New Generation – The Artemis Generation” By Utilizing Contemporary And Innovative Visual Technologies Such As High Definition Recording, Wide Angle/Panoramic Lenses, Virtual Reality, Digital Compression, Selfie Sticks And Body Cameras During Artemis II, 2023; Media, Academia, Industry, Organizations And Individuals Are Encouraged To Submit Imagery Ideas NLT 11 Dec; Bridenstine Widely Praised Within Space Community For Deftly Steering Major Powers Toward Moon Exploration Coalition Despite Uncertain Political Realities, And Ought To Be Retained
NASA HLS Program Manager Lisa Watson-Morgan Oversees CBR Process, Customized To Establish Standards For Each Of 3 Unique Lander Designs: Traditional Approach By Blue Origin Group Awarded US$579M, Stripped-Down Strategy From Dynetics / 25+ Subcontractors Awarded $253M And Novel In-Space Refueling Method From SpaceX Initially Awarded $135M + $53M For Propellant Transfer Demonstration; Safety, Construction, Testing / Validation Considered; Watson-Morgan Is Confident That Diversity Of Design Advances “Bold And Challenging Objective Of Sending Astronauts To The Lunar South Pole”; 
Artemis III Science Definition Team To Present Findings Of 
Target Of First Crewed Lunar Mission Of 21st Century, Artemis 3, Called Into Question At Lunar Exploration Analysis Group Online Meeting; Focus For Sustainable Occupation Has Been On Polar Region Since 2008 ISRO Chandrayaan-1 Confirmation Of Water Ice; NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine Says “Inspiration Of Going Back To An Original Apollo Site Would Be Pretty Amazing” While HEOMD Administrator Kathy Lueders Comments “We’re Looking At Different Ways To Get More Communities To Participate In That [Landing Location] Decision”; Equatorial Landings Require Less Fuel / Technical Challenge
NASA Science Mission Directorate Planetary Science Division, Led By (L) Lori Glaze, Forming Science Definition Team To Prioritize Lunar Science To Be Conducted By Artemis III Crew At Undetermined Site Within 6 Degrees Of Moon South Pole;