Topic: [Discuss] Blue Origin Blue Moon as Artemis HLS
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55795 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-29-2025 07:03 PM
Please use this topic to discuss the Blue Origin Blue Moon human landing system being developed for NASA's Artemis program and the return of astronauts to the moon's surface.
Headshot Member
Posts: 1440 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 05-29-2025 07:04 PM
According to an article by Aviation Week's Irene Klotz, Jeff Bezos urged that Blue Origin add the necessary equipment to the mass demonstrator (intended for the first flight of New Glenn) to effect a soft lunar landing by the end of this year.
If successful, this will be the largest payload to land on the Moon as it will be 26 ft. tall and 10 ft. in diameter.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55795 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-29-2025 08:54 PM
Here's a Blue Origin graphic comparing the size of the Apollo lunar module, the Blue Moon MK1 test vehicle which the company is targeting to land later this year and the full Blue Moon HLS for Artemis and other applications:
And here's a new render of Blue Origin's plan for transporter to refuel the Blue Moon HLS in Earth orbit before leaving for the moon:
Headshot Member
Posts: 1440 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 05-29-2025 11:22 PM
The landing legs on the Mk1 do not seem to provide much stability for a landing. They seem to have half the distance from the centerline as that for the lunar module. The Mk2 legs seem to be much more stable. Of course the proof will come late this year.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55795 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-27-2025 12:54 PM
Blue Origin's Blue Moon MK1 lander mid module arrives in Rocket Park:
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55795 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
We completed the final integrated fixed-wing flight test for our Blue Moon MK1 lunar lander's navigation systems in the Mojave, validating our precision landing hardware and software. A test pod, equipped with a complete navigation sensor suite, was installed on the plane for a comprehensive end-to-end demonstration of all MK1 navigation hardware and software functionality, complementary to testing planned in the vehicle test bed.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55795 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
The BE-7 engine for our Blue Moon MK1 lunar lander just completed acceptance testing. Two 290-second tests exposed the engine to its full range of thrust and mixture ratios to verify engine performance.
The engine is now off to Florida for integration with MK1.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55795 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-15-2026 08:26 PM
From Blue Origin CEO David Limp:
This week we completed direct field acoustic testing on our Blue Moon MK1 lunar lander, a major flight‑qualification milestone.
We surrounded the fully integrated lander with a ring of 34‑ft speaker towers to generate a near‑diffuse acoustic field, matching the New Glenn payload fairing environment at over 138 decibels overall sound pressure level. MK1 ran in a flight-like configuration: tanks pressurized with helium and nitrogen, batteries powering the vehicle, with all critical avionics and guidance systems operating.
43 triaxial accelerometers measured response during a two‑minute exposure at protoqualification levels. Because the lander's vibration environment is driven by acoustic loads, this test replaces traditional shaker-based vibration testing and more accurately represents ascent conditions.
Next stop: Johnson Space Center for thermal vacuum chamber testing.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55795 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
Blue Moon MK1 left for the port today ahead of shipment to Houston.
Introducing Endurance. Named for Ernest Shackleton’s legendary ship that journeyed to Earth’s South Pole, MK1 honors resilience under pressure. That same spirit of perseverance guides our mission to the lunar South Pole.
posted 05-29-2025 07:03 PM
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