Blue Moon
In DevelopmentBlue Origin's lunar lander, developed under NASA's Artemis Human Landing System (HLS) program. Blue Moon is one of two landers selected to return American astronauts to the Moon's surface.
Contract value
$3.4B
NASA HLS Option B (Sustaining Lunar Development)
Target mission
Artemis 5
Second crewed Artemis lunar landing
Propulsion
BE-7
Liquid hydrogen / liquid oxygen — highest efficiency for lunar landing
Program Timeline
NASA HLS Contract Award
SpaceX wins initial $2.9B NASA Human Landing System contract. Blue Origin protests, leading to a halt of work.
Government Accountability Office Ruling
GAO denies Blue Origin's protest. NASA's single-source award to SpaceX stands. Blue Origin files lawsuit in US Court of Federal Claims.
Court of Federal Claims Rules
Court rules in favor of NASA. Blue Origin's legal challenge fails. Development of Starship HLS proceeds.
Blue Origin wins HLS Option B — $3.4B contract
NASA awards Blue Origin a $3.4B contract for a second crewed lunar lander under the Sustaining Lunar Development (SLD) option. Blue Moon Mk1 will carry astronauts to the lunar surface alongside SpaceX Starship.
Blue Moon Mk1 Development
Blue Origin advances development of the Blue Moon Mk1 lander at its facilities in Huntsville, Alabama. Structural testing, engine qualification, and avionics development underway.
Uncrewed demonstration mission
Blue Moon Mk1 expected to launch on a New Glenn rocket for an uncrewed demonstration landing on the lunar surface.
First crewed Blue Moon landing
Blue Moon Mk1 planned to carry NASA astronauts to the lunar south pole region as part of the Artemis 5 mission — the second crewed Artemis landing after Starship HLS.
Specifications
Height
16 m (52 ft)
Lander type
Descent only (expendable)
Propulsion
BE-7 cryogenic engine (liquid hydrogen/oxygen)
Thrust
40 kN (9,000 lbf)
Payload to lunar surface
20 tonnes (Blue Moon Mk2)
Launch vehicle
New Glenn (Mk1) / Heavy-lift (Mk2)
Contract value
$3.4B (NASA HLS Option B)
Landing target
Lunar south pole (Artemis)
Blue Ring
In DevelopmentBlue Ring is Blue Origin's in-space propulsion and services platform. It can deliver power, propulsion, communications, and data services to hosted payloads in cislunar space. Expected to debut in 2025–2026.