Nasa to Land Astronauts on the Moon by 2028
EghtesadOnline: Nasa is officially looking for ideas from private companies to develop future lunar technologies, with responses due by the end of next month.
In addition, the agency published its methodology for bringing crewed missions back to the lunar surface, Space.cpm reported.
The moon has had a big 2019 so far: China's Chang'e-4 lander mission achieved the first soft landing on the far side of the moon at the start of January.
Then, millions of people across North and South America enjoyed a mesmerizing lunar eclipse, dubbed the Super Blood Wolf Moon, on Jan. 21, Financial Tribune reported.
This year, Nasa is also commemorating a major lunar milestone: The agency will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic Apollo 11 mission that brought astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins to the moon to take that incredible "giant leap for mankind."
In a statement published earlier in February, Nasa laid out how it will work with US companies to develop reusable systems through which astronauts could return to the moon by 2028.
The partnerships would be multi-phased and perhaps include collaboration with other nations to "advance our missions to farther destinations, such as Mars," Nasa Administrator Jim Bridenstine, said in the statement.