First USA Private-Public Lunar Contracts Worth Up To US$2.6B To Enable ‘More Moon Missions, More Science’
NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services Contracts Max Value US$2.6B Awarded To Astrobotic, Deep Space Systems, Draper, FireFly, Intuitive Machines, Lockheed Martin, Masten Space Systems, Moon Express, Orbit Beyond; “To Provide All Activities Necessary To Safely Integrate, Accommodate, Transport, And Operate NASA [Lunar] Payloads”; Hopes To Get To Lunar Surface “Fast” – As Early As Next Year, Launch 2 Payloads Per Year For Next 10, Starting With 10+ kg Cargo; Payloads Could Include Instruments From Lunar Resource Prospector, And Lunar Surface Instrument & Technology Payloads Proposed 19 Nov Advancing To Next Step 17 Jan 2019
Pictured: NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine (L) and Science Mission Directorate Thomas Zurbuchen; Credits: NASA
Two Most Populous Earth Nations Aiming For Moon; China Chang’e 4 Prepares For Launch From Xichang Satellite Launch Centre 8 December And Landing 30-31 Dec; First Ever To Land On Lunar Farside; India Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark 3 Successfully Launches GSAT-29 To Orbit, GSLV Mk 3 Will Launch Next Moon Mission; Chandrayaan 2 Has Launch Window From 3 Jan To 16 Feb; 3.8 Ton Spacecraft Consists Of Orbiter, Lander And Rover; Will Be First To Land Near South Pole
Observing End Of First World War, Paris Peace Forum 11-13 November Attended By 60 Heads Of State Plus ESA Astronauts Claudie Haigneré (L) And Frank De Winne; Haigneré, Experienced With Missions To Mir And ISS, States That Lunar Return Is Question Of Who And When; ESA Moon Village Shares Global Vision, Peaceful Values And Objectives Of Peace Forum; Haigneré Concludes That Moon Is Not Temporary Adventure Or Nomadic Exploration But A True Sustainable Endeavour; ESA Director-General Jan Wörner (R) Also Promotes Moon Village At Paris Peace Forum
