US area company NASA has instructed Elon Musk’s SpaceX to halt work below a contract it gained to develop a lunar spacecraft, pending the end result of challenges by rival bidders on the US Government Accountability Office, the company stated on Friday.
NASA’s resolution means SpaceX has to cease any work particularly associated to the Moon programme contract till the GAO makes a ruling, anticipated August 4 on the newest.
A SpaceX spokesman didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Earlier this month, NASAÂ awarded SpaceX the lunar contract over billionaire Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and protection contractor Dynetics.
The high-profile undertaking goals to put people again on the Moon for the primary time since 1972.
Blue Origin on Monday filed a protest with the GAO, arguing amongst different issues that NASA gave SpaceX the prospect to revise its bid however didn’t give that likelihood to Blue Origin.
Blue Origin additionally argues the choice extends SpaceX’s “monopolistic” management in area exploration.
The GAO confirmed that Dynetics has additionally challenged the NASA contract award to SpaceX.
“Pursuant to the GAO protests, NASA instructed SpaceX that progress on the HLS (human landing system) contract has been suspended until GAO resolves all outstanding litigation related to this procurement,” the company stated on Friday.
© Thomson Reuters 2021
