FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2020
Coalition for Deep Space Exploration Statement on FY 2021 NASA Budget Request
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration (Coalition) offers our congratulations to Coalition members Dynetics (a Leidos company), Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman for their selection in NextSTEP Appendix H study contract awards to advance the development of Human Landing Systems (HLS) for the Artemis program.
In response to the Administration’s direction to land the first woman and next man on the Moon, the HLS will carry humans to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972, where a new generation of space explorers will conduct operations on and around the Moon to prepare for sustained human presence and an eventual human mission to Mars.
“These awards represent a critical milestone needed to keep the Artemis program on track and moving forward,” said Coalition president Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar. “The deep strength and growing diversity of America’s space industry, leveraging heritage expertise while at the same time opening the door to new approaches, is certainly on display with these selections. We look forward to their launch and to the next human footsteps on the Moon.”
Funding will enable the next phase of development, giving NASA the ability to work with selected partners to finalize the requirements for the Artemis HLS architecture and proceed to a preliminary design review.
About the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration
The The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration is a national organization of more than 65 space industry businesses and universities focused on ensuring the United States remains a leader in space, science and technology. Based in Washington D.C., the Coalition engages in outreach and education reinforcing the value and benefits of human space exploration, space science and commerce with the public and our nation’s leaders, building lasting support for a long-term, sustainable, strategic direction for our nation’s space program.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Lauren Quesada – Griffin Communications Group
(281) 744-7938; Lauren@GriffinCG.com
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