NASA Supports Innovation and New Concepts

[ecarfan]

NASA calls for instruments, technologies for delivery to the moon

Quote: “NASA has announced a call for Lunar Surface Instrument and Technology Payloads that will fly to the Moon on commercial lunar landers as early as next year or 2020.”

Besides the FH, what other rockets currently flying can put a payload on the lunar surface? NASA won’t use the Chinese Long March 7 of course.

And what payloads will be ready to go in such a short time frame?

This announcement by NASA seems like good news for SpaceX. And seems to be part of a pattern with Bridenstine: outsourcing more and more. He canceled the Remote Prospector lunar rover project earlier this year.See Scientists shocked as NASA cuts only moon rover

Quote from that article: “Bridenstine, who was confirmed this week as the new head of NASA, insisted on Twitter that the US space agency is "committed to lunar exploration." Resource Prospector instruments will go forward in an expanded lunar surface campaign. More landers. More science. More exploration. More prospectors. More commercial partners," he wrote.”

 

[ecarfan]

Lots of views of this thread but no comments. So I will repeat my question:

Besides the FH, what other rockets currently flying can put a payload on the lunar surface?

I think this announcement by NASA could potentially bring more business for FH.

 

[Grendal]

It all depends on how much payload you want to send: Delta IV, Ariane 5, Falcon 9, Long March 5, and Falcon Heavy. Those are the ones currently capable of a Trans Lunar Injection.
Comparison of orbital launch systems - Wikipedia

The USA isn't going to use China. So your assessment is correct that the USA would focus on SpaceX and the ridiculously expensive Delta IV. Falcon 9 for small stuff and FH and Delta IV for big stuff.

 

[Grendal]