The Artemis Gateway and SpaceX’s Human Landing System: The Race for Return to the Moon

Gateway is a critical part of NASA’s deep space exploration plans, along with the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, Orion spacecraft and human landing system. As astronauts prepare for missions to the lunar surface, they will need deliveries of critical pressurized and unpressurized cargo, science experience and supplies, such as sample collection materials and other items. In March 2020, NASA awarded SpaceX as the first U.S. commercial provider under the Gateway Logistics Services contract to deliver cargo and other supplies to the lunar outpost on the SpaceX Dragon XL logistics module. The agency’s powerful Space Launch System rocket will launch four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft for their multi-day journey to lunar orbit. There, two crew members will transfer to the SpaceX human landing system (HLS) for the final leg of their journey to the surface of the Moon. After approximately a week exploring the surface, they will board the lander for their short trip back to orbit where they will return to Orion and their colleagues before heading back to Earth. NASA’s Artemis program will land astronauts on the Moon and reveal new knowledge about the Moon, Earth and our origins in the solar system. At the Moon, NASA and its partners will gain the experience necessary to mount a historic human mission to Mars. Gateway model credit: Andreas Engevold