Jeff Bezos, CEO and founder of Amazon, also holds the same roles with the commercial space exploration firm Blue Origin. Most of the headlines and success of the contract space business have gone to Elon Musk’s SpaceX, but a new deal could put Blue Origin on the map.
Two German companies recently signed a letter of intent to have Blue Origin deliver several tons of unspecified cargo to the moon over the next five years. Although the content of these missions was not clearly defined, it’s believed that OHB Space Systems and Security and MT Aerospace will entrust the firm with materials related to infrastructure development for private businesses looking to access the moon.
The agreement overlapped with an announcement from the International Astronautical Congress launching their Moon Race competition. It will pit Blue Origin, SpaceX, Airbus and others against each other in the development of new technologies focused on providing private companies with operational access to the moon.
Blue Origin also announced that they’re in the “conceptual design phase” of a large, lunar lander for moon missions.
Applications for the IAC competition will be due early next year, with participants choosing an application category for their technology from amongst the following options:
- Manufacturing, including the development of new tools and processes.
- Energy, to survive the extreme conditions.
- Resource, to make the most of what the moon provides.
- Biology, including the development of agriculture.
Image Credit: Blue Origin/https://www.blueorigin.com/new-shepard