CLPS
Astrobotic wins NASA contract to deliver VIPER lunar rover
NASA has selected Astrobotic to deliver a rover to the surface of the moon in late 2023 to prospect for water ice that could support future human missions.
OHB and IAI plan commercial lunar lander mission in late 2022
German space company OHB is moving ahead with plans to launch a commercial lunar lander mission in cooperation with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in late 2022 as it looks for government and commercial customers.
Op-ed | Taking stock of NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services progress
With the countdown on, it is a good time to reflect on the progress made by the NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services program and think about what is to come in the near future.
Firefly signs launch agreement with Spaceflight
Firefly Aerospace has signed a contract with Spaceflight to be the primary customer for a rideshare mission on Firefly’s Alpha small launch vehicle in 2021.
Intuitive Machines selects landing site for CLPS mission
Intuitive Machines has identified a landing site for a commercial lunar lander mission next year that will carry payloads from NASA and other customers.
Masten wins NASA lunar lander award
NASA announced April 8 it has selected Masten Space Systems to fly a suite of payloads to the south pole of the moon in late 2022.
NASA seeks bids to deliver VIPER lunar lander
NASA is asking companies in its commercial lunar landing services program to bid on delivering a NASA rover whose launch has been slightly delayed.
Industry puzzled by NASA withdrawal of CLPS task order
NASA has reissued a task order for its commercial lunar lander services program whose withdrawal, without explanation, in late January frustrated many of the companies involved.
NASA postpones procurement of lander for VIPER lunar rover
NASA has delayed the release of a task order that’s part of its commercial lunar lander program for the delivery of a rover at the south pole of the moon, a decision some lander companies have quietly welcomed.
CLPS companies worry about increased competition for limited contracts
As NASA adds new companies to a commercial lunar landing services program, some existing participants worry its value to them may now be diminished.
NASA adds five companies to commercial lunar lander program
NASA announced Nov. 18 that it was adding five companies to a contract to perform commercial deliveries of payloads to the surface of the moon, a group that ranges from small ventures to Blue Origin and SpaceX.
Japanese lunar lander company ispace on schedule for 2021 first mission
Japanese lunar lander company ispace says it’s on track to launch its first mission in 2021 while supporting an American partner on potential NASA missions.
Intuitive Machines secures launch contract, wins lawsuit
Intuitive Machines, a company with a NASA contract to fly payloads to the moon in 2021, announced Oct. 2 it has signed a contract with SpaceX for the launch of its lunar lander.
Lunar lander failures offer a warning to commercial missions
The apparent failure of an Indian spacecraft to land on the moon this month is providing a reminder to NASA and its commercial partners of the challenges of not only the missions themselves but sharing data on problems they experience.
Commercial lunar lander companies update mission plans
Days after Astrobotic announced its selection of United Launch Alliance to launch its first lunar lander, Japanese lunar lander company ispace says it is modifying its schedule for commercial lunar lander missions.
Commercial lunar lander company terminates NASA contract
One of the three companies NASA selected less than two months ago to carry payloads to the moon has informed the agency it won’t be able to perform that mission and has terminated its nearly $100 million contract.
