NASA Awards First Contracts for Lunar South Pole Rovers

NASA awarded its first contracts to deliver rovers to the lunar south pole, naming Blue Origin, Firefly, and Astrolab as the initial recipients. The selections support plans for a permanent base at the south pole, where water ice deposits have drawn sustained scientific interest.

Origin will supply rovers under the new agreements, according to the company’s statement. Firefly and Astrolab will also provide rover hardware for the same program. The first mission under these contracts could reach the surface as soon as this year.

NASA leaders outlined the base plans nearly two months after the Artemis II crewed flight completed its objectives. The agency has not released contract values or delivery schedules for the rover missions. >"NASA just awarded its first moon base contracts—and Jeff Bezos was on the list.

— Fortune, May 2026 >"NASA picks Blue Origin to deliver lunar rovers to the moon.