Not everything will be on Twitter: life goes on, and Elon Musk and NASA are on top

For these hours we have Elon Musk even soup. Since his appearance on Twitter, he has not stopped appearing in the headlines, and this is obvious. However, the mogul still keeps a close eye on what happens outside the social network’s headquarters in San Francisco, California. And in the last few hours it has become clear that his relationship with NASA through SpaceX is at its best.

The fact is that the US space agency announced the extension of an already existing contract with SpaceX for the development of the lunar lander of the Artemis program. Elon Musk’s company another $1.150 millionwhich will be added to the $2.9 billion awarded to him in mid-2021.

“NASA has awarded SpaceX a contract modification to further develop its Starship human landing system to meet the agency’s requirements for long-term human exploration of the Moon under Artemis. part of the NASA Artemis IV mission.”

NASA to renew contract with SpaceX.

Bill Nelson, current administrator of NASA, shared the news on his Twitter account and it didn’t take long for him to get a message from Elon Musk. “Very grateful, SpaceX will not let NASA down!”the mogul tweeted.

Elon Musk, SpaceX and NASA strengthen their ties

Recall that SpaceX was chosen by NASA to develop a lunar lander based on its Starship spacecraft, which will be responsible for delivering astronauts to the moon as part of the Artemis III mission. The original contract with Elon Musk’s firm also called for unmanned tests on the lunar surface prior to the actual departure of the crew.

But with a new announcement, the company will extend its relationship with the US agency for several more years. Keep in mind that just today, after endless delays, the launch of Artemis I was completed. The next mission, Artemis II, will take place no earlier than May 2024, barring further delays. While Artemis III will take place sometime in 2025 if the already set schedule is followed.

Image: NASA

For Artemis IV and beyond, SpaceX’s plans are more than ambitious. Elon Musk’s aerospace company will be required to “develop and demonstrate a lunar lander that meets maintenance requirements for post-Artemis III missions,” NASA explained.

One of the many goals you will need to achieve will be to demonstrate which can be paired with a gateway, a small space station that will orbit the Moon and serve to enhance the capabilities of the Artemis missions. It is expected that the first modules of this program will be launched into space no earlier than November 2024.

For now, Elon Musk has also taken to his Twitter account to congratulate NASA on the expected launch of the Artemis I carrying the Orion spacecraft.

Are all disputes over?

It will be interesting to see how the renewal of SpaceX’s contract with NASA affects other aerospace firms that want to enter the private space race. Let’s not forget that the choice of Elon Musk’s company as the sole contractor for the Artemis lunar lander was the cause of much controversy. To the point that Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin sued the US space agency.

“We strongly believe that the issues identified with this acquisition and its results must be resolved in order to restore justice, create competition, and ensure a safe return to the Moon for the United States,” the Amazon founding company said in a statement.

And although American justice ultimately ruled in favor of NASA, the dispute between the millionaires was in full view. At one point, Elon Musk even sent a public message to Bezos: “You can’t sue your way to the moon. It doesn’t matter how good your lawyers are.”

Now, from NASA, they seem to open their umbrella before the rain. The agency recalled that moves “two parallel paths” in relation to the development of lunar landers.. One of them is already in charge of SpaceX, while the other is in line with a request that was launched this year for the rest of the US companies wishing to participate.

“Returning astronauts to the Moon to study, live and work is a bold undertaking. Several landers from SpaceX and future partners are planned, and NASA will be in a better position to fly tomorrow’s missions,” Nelson said.