NASA Seeks Few Billion More for Moon Program as Blue Origin Blast Scrambles 2028 Landing Plan
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 8
NASA Seeks Few Billion More for Moon Program as Blue Origin Blast Scrambles 2028 Landing Plan
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 8
Summary
$2 billion to $4 billion in additional funding is being discussed by NASA and congressional offices to keep a 2027 lander test and a 2028 crewed moon landing on schedule.
The request follows the May 28 explosion at Blue Origin's only New Glenn launchpad, which forced NASA to rethink how it would launch cargo and crew hardware for the lunar campaign.
NASA is now backing a simplified lunar lander redesign and separating lander development from any single rocket or pad, after concerns that neither Blue Origin nor SpaceX may be ready on time.
Congress could attach the money to a reconciliation or supplemental bill, but staffers said Hill support is uncertain and lawmakers are already questioning whether taxpayers should fund Blue Origin's redesign.
The funding push underscores the pressure on NASA to meet President Trump's moon-base goals without raiding other programs, even after Congress provided the agency nearly $10 billion last year.