NASA has suspended its contract with SpaceX for the landing system to take astronauts down to and back from the lunar surface. Two other competitors for the contract, Blue Origin and Dynetics, have filed protests with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and NASA issued the stop work order until GAO resolves the matter.
The first launch of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) is one step closer now that the SLS core stage has arrived at Kennedy Space Center, FL. All the other elements for the first launch, Artemis-I, are already there. The pieces will be integrated and tested before the entire stack is moved out to the launch pad for an uncrewed test flight around the Moon in coming months.
The Senate confirmed Bill Nelson to be the new NASA Administrator by unanimous consent today, just one day after his nomination was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee. A former Senator, he is highly regarded by his colleagues as evidenced by the swiftness of his confirmation.
China launched the core module, Tianhe, of its new space station this evening. It is the first of almost a dozen launches to create and supply a three-module China Space Station. China already launched two small stations years ago, but this is a further step in its methodical human spaceflight program.
Apollo 11 astronaut Mike Collins passed away today according to a statement from his family. His enduring fame was as a NASA astronaut, but that was only a brief part of his impressive career, which included serving as director of the National Air and Space Museum.
A Senate committee approved Bill Nelson’s nomination to be NASA Administrator this morning, clearing it for action by the full Senate. A former Senator, Nelson received only accolades from both Democrats and Republicans during his nomination hearing last week, making today’s outcome all but assured. Once confirmed, he will have a lot on his to-do list.
Dynetics has filed its own protest of NASA’s award to SpaceX of a contract to build a system to land people back on the Moon. It is one of three companies that were awarded initial contracts to further design their systems last year. NASA chose SpaceX to proceed with development over Dynetics and Blue Origin, which filed its own protest yesterday.
Blue Origin filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) today asserting that NASA’s decision to award a contract to SpaceX for a system to land astronauts on the Moon was “flawed.” It is asking GAO to impose an automatic stay and recommend that NASA rescind the award and recompete the contract.
Here is SpacePolicyOnline.com’s list of space policy events for the week of April 25-May 1, 2021 and any insight we can offer about them. The Senate is in session this week. The House is having a “committee work week” where committees meet but the House meets only in pro forma sessions. On Wednesday, however, the House and Senate will meet in joint session to hear an address by President Joe Biden.
Four astronauts from three countries docked with the International Space Station (ISS) today bringing the total number of people aboard up to 11 instead of the usual seven. The full house is only temporary. Four will return home on Wednesday.