Privately Developed Moon Lander Model Arrives at NASA for Testing

A full-size model of a privately-developed moon lander has arrived at the U.S. space agency NASA for examination and testing.

The model, also known as a mock-up, stands more than 12 meters high. The design represents one of three lunar landers being developed for NASA by three different companies.

The mock-up was recently sent to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Blue Origin, a Washington state-based space flight company, produced it.

NASA announced earlier this year it had chosen three American businesses to develop, build and fly lunar landers for future missions to the moon. The other two companies are California's SpaceX and Dynetics of Alabama.

SpaceX made history in May by launching two astronauts into space aboard a spacecraft the company built and operated for NASA. It was the first time astronauts had launched from American soil since the last space shuttle flight in 2011.

Altogether, NASA has agreed to pay the three companies $967 million to design and develop human landing systems for its Artemis program. The goal of Artemis is to return astronauts to the moon in 2024, NASA officials have said.

The space agency's next goal is to establish a long-term base on the moon by 2028. From there, NASA says it hopes to launch a series of space operations, including missions to Mars.

Blue Origin's model is not a working version of the lander. But it does include full elements designed to give NASA engineers an up-close look at the landing system.

One of the main goals of the mock-up operation will be to test how effectively the lunar lander can get crew, equipment and supplies on and off of the vehicle, Blue Origin said in a statement. It will also be a chance for astronauts to examine the equipment and provide their feedback on the design.

Blue Origin formed a "National Team" with other companies to work on the lunar lander project. The team includes Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Draper.

The system is based on three main parts: the Ascent¹ Element, the Descent Element and the Transfer Element.

Lockheed Martin is designing the Ascent Element, where the crew would be housed during moon missions. The Descent Element, developed by Blue Origin, would carry the astronauts to the surface of the moon. The Transfer Element, designed by Northrop Grumman, links up with the lander and would guide the crew through low lunar orbit in preparation for landing.

Leaders of the National Team say they decided² to create the three lander components⁴ to speed up the design and development process. This method permits the team to carry out independent development and testing of individual elements, without affecting the full system, Blue Origin said.

Both the Ascent Element and the Descent Element were sent to NASA for examination and testing.

Brent Sherwood is vice⁵ president of Advanced Development Programs for Blue Origin. "Testing this engineering mock-up for crew interaction is a step toward making this historic mission real," he said in a statement.

He noted⁶ the importance of receiving NASA's expertise⁷ and feedback on Blue Origin's design as early as possible to help improve the overall development progress. "The learning we get from full-scale mock-ups can't be done any other way," Sherwood added.

I'm Bryan Lynn.

Words in This Story

mission – n. an important task, usually involving travel somewhere

feedback – n. helpful information or criticism that is given to someone to say what can be done to improve a performance or product

component³ – n. one of the parts of something, especially a machine

full-scale – adj. very large or serious and involving everything that is possible or expected

1 ascent   

n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高

参考例句：

• His rapid ascent in the social scale was surprising.他的社会地位提高之迅速令人吃惊。
• Burke pushed the button and the elevator began its slow ascent.伯克按动电钮，电梯开始缓慢上升。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 component   

n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的

参考例句：

• Each component is carefully checked before assembly.每个零件在装配前都经过仔细检查。
• Blade and handle are the component parts of a knife.刀身和刀柄是一把刀的组成部分。

4 components   

（机器、设备等的）构成要素，零件，成分； 成分( component的名词复数 )； [物理化学]组分； [数学]分量； （混合物的）组成部分

参考例句：

• the components of a machine 机器部件
• Our chemistry teacher often reduces a compound to its components in lab. 在实验室中化学老师常把化合物分解为各种成分。

5 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

6 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

7 expertise   

n.专门知识(或技能等)，专长

参考例句：

• We were amazed at his expertise on the ski slopes.他斜坡滑雪的技能使我们赞叹不已。
• You really have the technical expertise in a new breakthrough.让你真正在专业技术上有一个全新的突破。