NASA has announced the selection of three US companies to develop a lunar lander to deliver payloads to the Moons surface. The three companies, Astrobotic Technology, Masten Space Systems, and Moon Express, wont be receiving any funds, but will negotiate with the space agency for a partnership to exchange technical expertise and help promote the private space sector.

The partnerships are part of NASAs Lunar Cargo Transportation and Landing by Soft Touchdown (Lunar CATALYST) initiative. Like the Commercial Crew Program (CCP), where NASA called on private industry to come up with a replacement for the Space Shuttle to carry crews and cargo to the International Space Station, the CATALYST initiative is a way for the agency to get around shrinking budgets or lack of government interest by teaming with private partners.

The Moon Express MX-1 Lander (Image: Moon Express, Inc)

Operated under the Advanced Exploration Systems Division of NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Lunar CATALYSTs goal is to develop a reliable and cost-effective commercial robotic lunar lander for carrying cargo to the lunar surface. The idea is that these landers would be used for commercial purposes, such as mining helium-3, cryogenic manufacturing, solar power generation or spacecraft refueling, while helping out NASA and other researchers on scientific missions, such as sample returns, prospecting, and technology demonstrations.

Astrobotic Technologys Griffin lander (Image: Astrobotic Technology)

Under the partnership agreement, NASA will provide the three companies with technical expertise, access to test facilities, and the loan of equipment and software for three years to help with lander development.

"NASA is making advances to push the boundaries of human exploration farther into the solar system, including to an asteroid and Mars, and continues to spur development in the commercial space sector," says Jason Crusan, director of the Advanced Exploration Systems Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "Robotic missions to the moon have revealed the existence of local resources, including oxygen and water, which may be highly valuable for exploration of the solar system. The potential to use the lunar surface in partnership with our international and commercial partners may allow these resources to be characterized and used to enable future exploration and pioneering."

Source: NASA

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NASA announces partners for lunar lander program