NASA has chosen Blue Origin, led by Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos, to develop a human landing system for the agency’s Artemis V mission to the Moon. The selection of Blue Origin aims to advance NASA’s exploration of the lunar surface, in which NASA and their private partners pave the way for future astronaut crewed missions to Mars. Blue Origin will join Elon Musk’s SpaceX as NASA’s second private partner for the lunar missions.
Under the contract, Blue Origin will undertake the design, development, testing, and verification of its Blue Moon lander, which will fulfill NASA’s human landing system requirements for recurring astronaut expeditions to the Moon. This includes the crucial capability of docking with Gateway, a lunar orbit space station for crew transfer. The contract also includes an uncrewed demonstration mission to the lunar surface, followed by a crewed demo as part of the Artemis V mission in 2029. The total value of the firm-fixed price contract is $3.4 billion.
In announcing the selection, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed enthusiasm for Blue Origin’s involvement, stating, “Today we are excited to announce Blue Origin will build a human landing system as NASA’s second provider to deliver Artemis astronauts to the lunar surface.” He emphasized the importance of commercial and international partnerships in advancing human spaceflight, highlighting the investment being made in the infrastructure necessary to land the first astronauts on Mars.
For the Artemis V mission, NASA’s powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket will launch four astronauts to lunar orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft. Upon docking with Gateway, two astronauts will transfer to Blue Origin’s human landing system for a weeklong journey to the Moon’s South Pole region. There, they will carry out scientific research and exploration activities. Artemis V represents a critical phase in demonstrating NASA’s initial lunar exploration capabilities and establishing foundational systems to support complex missions in lunar orbit and on the surface, aligning with NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration approach.
The addition of Blue Origin as a human landing system partner for NASA’s Artemis program serves multiple purposes. It enhances competition, reducing costs for taxpayers while supporting a regular cadence of lunar landings. It also promotes investment in the lunar economy and contributes to NASA’s objectives on and around the Moon, all in preparation for future astronaut missions to Mars.
This partnership follows NASA’s earlier contract with SpaceX to demonstrate an initial human landing system for the Artemis III mission. As part of that agreement, SpaceX was directed to evolve its design to meet sustainable exploration requirements and demonstrate the lander on Artemis IV. With the inclusion of Blue Origin’s lander on Artemis V, multiple providers will compete for future opportunities to fulfill NASA’s lunar surface access needs, ensuring a robust and regular series of Moon landings.
By supporting the development of innovative human landing system concepts and designs in the industry, NASA aims to enhance access to space for the benefit of all. The competitive approach fosters innovation, cost reduction, and the growth of commercial capabilities, which can ultimately serve other customers and contribute to the emergence of a lunar economy.
Lisa Watson-Morgan, manager of NASA’s Human Landing System Program, emphasized the advantages of having two distinct lunar lander designs, each meeting NASA’s mission requirements in different ways. This approach enhances robustness, establishes a regular cadence of Moon landings, and drives innovation while lowering costs. Moreover, it creates opportunities for commercial growth and business prospects that can serve a range of customers and contribute to the development of a sustainable lunar economy.
NASA’s public meeting aims to shed further light on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) in the wake of growing interest in the subject
NASA has announced an upcoming public meeting, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 31, in which the agency’s independent study team will discuss and evaluate data related to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). Also known as Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, or simply UAP, these mysterious occurrences in the sky defy conventional explanations.
The meeting, which will be aired on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website until 2:30 p.m., serves as the final deliberation before the independent study team releases its report this summer. NASA defines UAP as sky events that cannot be identified as aircraft or known natural phenomena from a scientific perspective. The focus of the public meeting is to outline the evaluation and study of UAP using data, technology, and scientific tools.
It is important to note that this meeting is not a review or assessment of previous unidentifiable observations. Instead, the forthcoming report will guide NASA on the potential collection of future data to gain a better understanding of the nature and origin of UAP.
As per the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the meeting will also provide an opportunity for public comment. Questions will be accepted starting at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 12.
Following the meeting, at 3 p.m., NASA will hold a virtual post-meeting media teleconference. The audio of the teleconference will be streamed live on the agency’s website. Key participants in the teleconference include Dan Evans, assistant deputy associate administrator for research at NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, and David Spergel, president of the Simons Foundation and Chair of NASA’s UAP independent study team. Other members of the UAP independent study team will also join the discussion.
The UAP independent study team comprises 16 community experts from diverse areas relevant to the study of unidentified anomalous phenomena. NASA commissioned this nine-month study to explore UAP from a scientific perspective and establish a roadmap for utilizing data and scientific tools to advance our understanding of these events. Currently, the limited number of high-quality UAP observations hinders drawing scientific conclusions about their nature.
In a press release from last week, NASA reiterated that their commitment to exploring the unknown in space and the atmosphere drives their interest in understanding UAP. The study’s primary aim is to inform NASA about the possible data that could be collected in the future to shed light on these enigmatic phenomena. By employing data and scientific methodologies, NASA seeks to move forward in unraveling the mysteries surrounding UAP and expand our understanding of the unknown.
Stanford Professor and researcher believes extraterrestrial intelligence have visited Earth
Renowned Stanford Professor and researcher, Dr. Garry Nolan, made waves this week by asserting that extraterrestrial intelligence has not only visited Earth but has been present for a substantial duration and continues to be here. Nolan, who has conducted extensive research on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) for the US government, shared his beliefs during a recent talk at the SALT iConnections conference in New York.
A Professor of Pathology at Stanford University School of Medicine, Nolan is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished scientists actively studying the UFO phenomenon. His research includes analyzing the brains of individuals who claim to have encountered UFOs.
During the conference, moderator Alex Klokus asked the academic whether he believed that extraterrestrial intelligence had visited Earth. In response, Nolan went a step further, stating, “I think you can go a step further — it hasn’t just visited, it’s been here a long time and it’s still here.” His bold statement has sparked both intrigue and controversy among the scientific community and the public.
Dr. Nolan revealed that whistleblowers with knowledge of “reverse-engineering downed craft” had recently provided classified testimony to Congress. This testimony has reportedly created a “hornet’s nest in Washington,” suggesting that undisclosed information related to UAP research and potential interactions with extraterrestrial intelligence is causing a stir within government circles.
While Dr. Nolan’s claims push the boundaries of conventional understanding, his partnership with the US government and his extensive scientific background provide a unique perspective in the ongoing study of UAP and UFO encounters. His research, including the analysis of UFO-related injuries, contributes to a growing body of knowledge aimed at unraveling the mysteries surrounding these phenomena.
As the debate surrounding UAP and extraterrestrial intelligence continues, Nolan’s assertions add fuel to the discussion. His expertise and reputation make his statements thought-provoking, prompting further exploration and investigation into the possibility of contact with beings from beyond our planet.
Nolan has been actively involved in studying unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and their potential impact on individuals. In 2012, he gained recognition for his analysis of the Atacama skeleton, initially suspected to be an alien corpse. However, Dr. Nolan’s research revealed that it was a mummified human stillbirth with genetic bone defects and gene mutations causing deformity.
Due to his expertise in blood analysis, Dr. Nolan was approached by US intelligence officials and an aerospace corporation to help understand the medical harm experienced by individuals claiming interactions with anomalous craft. Using CyTOF blood analysis, he investigated the brains of approximately 100 patients, mostly defense or governmental personnel, and those working in the aerospace industry. Many of these individuals reported encounters with unexplained aerial phenomena (UAP).
Dr. Nolan found that the majority of these patients exhibited symfptoms similar to those associated with Havana syndrome. MRI scans revealed severe brain damage in some cases, with a specific pattern of over-connection of neurons between the head of the caudate and the putamen. This finding was disproportionately present in this group compared to the general population. Dr. Nolan suggests that this brain characteristic, present from birth, may play a role in intelligence and planning.
Dr. Nolan’s contributions extend beyond brain analysis. He is the lead author of the first study published in a peer-reviewed journal on anomalous materials associated with UFOs. The article explores modern analytic procedures, including mass spectrometry, for characterizing and identifying unknown materials dropped from hovering UFOs, such as those involved in the 1977 Council Bluffs incident. Since the establishment of the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force in 2020, multiple publications have reported on Dr. Nolan’s involvement with The Pentagon and the CIA in investigating samples of materials supposedly ejected at sites of UFO sightings.
Watch Dr. Garry Nolan’s the full interview at the SALT iConnections conference below on YouTube: