Jeff Bezos offered a last-minute $2 billion incentive to NASA, for the agency to pick its Blue Origin Lunar Lander for its Human Landing System program.
The former Amazon CEO is willing to clear off up to $2 billion in payments if the agency picks its Space company Blue Origin for its program. Jeff Bezos made this known yesterday in an open letter to NASA administrator Bill Nelson.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX already has won the contract for NASA’s Human Landing System program. Bezos is trying to hijack the deal by making a huge personal financial incentive.
He mentioned, “I believe this mission is important, I am honored to offer these contributions and am grateful to be in a financial position to be able to do so.”
Also, willing to self-fund a blue Moon test launch to low-earth orbit. Bezos made a plea to the agency “All NASA needs to do is take advantage of this offer and amend” the contract.
NASA’s Initial plan was to have more companies in its project for the Human Landing System program. But it has limited funding from the U.S Congress, hence it awarded the contract to SpaceX.
Bezos believes his $2 billion offer will “bridge the HLS budgetary funding shortfall” and “get the program back on track right now.”
Read Also:
– SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy Won A Major NASA’s Jupiter Mission Contract
– Blue Origin’s Jeff Bezos Flight To Space And Back Was Successful
– Virgin Galactic’s Richard Branson And Flight Crew Are Back From Space
Former NASA deputy administrator Lori Gaver sees Bezos’s offer as concrete, but she has some reservations. “I see this as a positive sign overall, but it should not impact the current awards or strategy,” she mentioned.
“NASA can’t just ‘take offers’, she said. Blue Origin contested the awarding of the NASA contract to SpaceX. The GAO will be looking into this next week Monday, and that might change the stance on the NASA contract.
Blue Origin appeal might be dismissed and SpaceX remains the sole contractor. Also, Jeff Bezos space company becomes the sole contractor or joins SpaceX.
Jeff Bezos recently went on a passenger ride to space in his reusable suborbital rocket.
This is Blue Origin’s first passenger trip to Space, and it starts the company’s Commerical flights.
The New Shepard lifted off under good weather conditions at 9:12 AM ET from the company’s site in Van Horn, Texas.
Jeff Bezos is now the second billionaire to take a passenger trip to space in a matter of weeks.
For your daily dose of tech, lifestyle, and trending content, make sure to follow Plat4om on Twitter @Plat4omLive, on Instagram @Plat4om, on LinkedIn at Plat4om, and on Facebook at Plat4om. You can also email us at info@plat4om.com and join our channel on Telegram at Plat4om. Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE.