Astrobotic , Intuitive Machines and Orbit Beyond are the first companies chosen by NASA to deliver science and technology payloads as part of the Artemis moon mission . The contracts are worth a total of $ 253 m . In their submissions , the firms proposed how to take a variety of equipment to the moon in preparation for a human mission planned for 2020 . “What we learn will not only change our view of the universe, but also prepare our human missions to the Moon and eventually Mars.” Astrobotic is to take 14 spacecraft to the Mare Mortis crater by July 2021 , while Intuitive Machines will fly five payloads to the Oceanus Procellarum dark region , and Orbit Beyond will take equipment to a crater on the Mare Imbrium .
Astrobotic , Intuitive Machines and Orbit Beyond are the first companies chosen by NASA to deliver science and technology payloads as part of the Artemis moon mission . The contracts are worth a total of $ 253 m . In their submissions , the firms proposed how to take a variety of equipment to the moon in preparation for a human mission planned for 2020 . Astrobotic is to take 14 spacecraft to the Mare Mortis crater by July 2021 , while Intuitive Machines will fly five payloads to the Oceanus Procellarum dark region , and Orbit Beyond will take equipment to a crater on the Mare Imbrium .