NASA and SpaceX Clash Over Manual Controls for Lunar Lander
NASA inspector general report reveals disagreement between the space agency and SpaceX over the need for manual controls on the Human Landing System for Artemis Moon missions.
A new report from NASA's inspector general has shed light on a disagreement between the space agency and SpaceX regarding the inclusion of manual controls on the Human Landing System (HLS) being developed for the Artemis program's lunar missions.
The report examines NASA's management of the HLS development contracts, which were awarded to SpaceX and Blue Origin. These landers are crucial for NASA's plan to land astronauts on the Moon this decade and establish a long-term presence on the lunar surface. However, both NASA and the companies involved have been relatively tight-lipped about their progress, making this report a valuable source of previously unknown insights.
According to the report, the fixed-price contracting approach has been beneficial for NASA as it seeks to expand its use of the U.S. commercial space industry. The report, signed by Office of Inspector General senior official Robert Steinau, also highlights a key disagreement between NASA and SpaceX over the need for manual controls on the lunar lander.
Джерело: Ars Technica
