Northrop Grumman has won a NASA contract worth USD 935 million. The contract is a part of the US space agency’s Artemis program. Northrop Grumman is a private aerospace company. Besides, it is also a provider of military technology. It is based in Virginia and is known for being one of the largest weapons manufacturers in the world. It has also earned positions in offering the best military technology. The company will build homes in moon orbit under the contract. The living quarters will be a part of the agency’s planned outpost in the orbit. Northrop will provide a way for attaching the integrated quarters with a solar propulsion module.
Astronauts will live in the integrated quarters. They will conduct scientific studies. The outpost will be known as the Habitation and Logistics Outpost. It will act as a lunar Gateway. The gateway is an important component of the Artemis program. The program aims to land humans on the Moon’s surface. NASA has confirmed that it is building a Gateway with the support of international partners. It will support science investigations. It will assist during the surface landings at the Moon and prepare for future missions. NASA is planning a deep exploration of space by humans. It is also preparing for a crewed mission to Mars by end of the decade.
NASA is targeting to launch three missions under its Artemis program. The first spacecraft will be launched next year. It will be an uncrewed spacecraft. The remaining two will be launched in 2023 and 2024. The final and third spacecraft will land two astronauts on Moon. The mission will also see the first woman traveling to Moon. They will approximately seven days and conduct experiments and demonstrate space technologies. A total of eight countries have signed an agreement with NASA for moon exploration. The agency wants to build a permanent settlement on the lunar surface. Meanwhile, China is also planning to set up a base on Moon.
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