Blue Origin Advances Lunar Missions Amid Artemis 3 Uncertainty

Blue Origin is actively progressing with its lunar exploration initiatives, even as uncertainties surround the Artemis 3 mission. The company is preparing for its inaugural uncrewed lunar landing with the Blue Moon Mk. 1 lander, while also developing plans that could impact the timeline for Artemis 3, which aims to be NASA’s first human landing on the Moon since the Apollo missions.

Advancements in Lunar Lander Development

During a recent panel at the American Astronautical Society’s 2025 von Braun Space Exploration Symposium, Jacqueline Cortese, Blue Origin’s Senior Director of Civil Space, shared insights into the company’s lunar ambitions. The panel focused on “Artemis 3 and Beyond: Establishing a Permanent Lunar Presence,” highlighting the potential for both astronaut and cargo flights to the Moon.

Cortese announced that the Blue Moon Mk. 1 lander is currently undergoing final assembly in Florida. Standing at 8.1 meters tall, this cargo lander is set to support ongoing development efforts for its larger counterpart, the Blue Moon Mk. 2, which measures 15.3 meters in height. Both landers will utilize Blue Origin’s BE-7 engines, which are undergoing testing in multiple states, including Alabama and Texas.

“A significant milestone to watch for is the stacking of the Mk. 1, which includes three modules being assembled right now,” Cortese remarked. Once the assembly is complete, the lander will be transported to NASA’s Johnson Space Center for thermal vacuum testing.

The Mk. 1 is designed to be launched using a single launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, while the Mk. 2 will require orbital refueling. As part of its demonstration flight, the Mk. 1 will carry NASA’s SCALPSS (Stereo Cameras for Lunar-Plume Surface Studies) and LRA (Laser Retroreflective Array) payloads, aimed at studying lunar dust during landing.

New Contracts and Future Plans

Recently, NASA awarded a contract valued at $190 million to Blue Origin for the delivery of its VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) mission to the Moon’s South Pole. This mission marks the second flight for the Blue Moon Mk. 1 lander. Cortese expressed enthusiasm for this project, noting its significance as both a test bed for the Human Landing System (HLS) and a step toward establishing logistics infrastructure on the Moon.

Looking ahead, Blue Origin is also preparing for the Artemis 5 mission, for which it secured a $3.4 billion contract from NASA in May 2023. This mission, scheduled for 2029, will utilize the Blue Moon Mk. 2 lander. The contract stipulates that an uncrewed landing demonstration must occur before the crewed flights can commence.

The Blue Moon Mk. 2 lander will employ a Lunar Transporter for in-space cryogenic propellant transfer. Cortese explained that the company has been focusing on developing its cryogenic capabilities, successfully achieving temperatures of 90 Kelvin and 20 Kelvin in lab environments.

“We’ve collaborated closely with NASA to ensure our systems can effectively manage cryogenic propellant,” Cortese said. “A lot of progress has been made.”

As Blue Origin advances its lunar objectives, it faces competition from SpaceX, which has been awarded contracts for Artemis missions but has recently encountered delays. NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy indicated that the Artemis 3 contract would be reopened due to SpaceX’s timeline setbacks, allowing other companies, including Blue Origin, to compete for the mission.

“We want to return to the Moon within this President’s term,” Duffy stated. This competitive environment could provide new opportunities for Blue Origin, which Cortese acknowledged during the panel. “We are excited about this opportunity and have innovative ideas that could facilitate a more incremental approach to achieving our goals,” she said.

As Blue Origin continues to develop its lunar landers and collaborate with NASA, the company is positioning itself as a key player in the future of lunar exploration. The advancements made with the Blue Moon landers may pave the way for a sustainable human presence on the Moon, fulfilling the long-held ambitions of both NASA and private space enterprises.