NASA watchdog report pokes holes in Artemis lunar lander plans

The NASA Office of Inspector General has published a report on the agency's management of the lunar Human Landing System (HLS) contracts, highlighting the risks and arguments behind the scenes.

The report commends NASA's handling of the contracts, which were awarded to Blue Origin and SpaceX for vehicles Artemis astronauts will use to reach the lunar surface. However, it also notes the risks accepted in the endeavor and points out the challenges posed by Starship's height.

Where the Apollo lunar module was 23 feet tall, SpaceX's Starship stands at 171 feet, "about the equivalent of a 14-story-tall commercial building," according to the report. On the Apollo 15 mission, the lander settled at an approximate 11° tilt. For Artemis, NASA has said the tilt must not exceed 8°, although navigating the terrain of the lunar South Pole will present a challenge.

"There is a risk," the report ...