Blue Moon MK2
Blue Origin's hydrolox lunar lander contracted to carry astronauts to the Moon for Artemis V.
Last refreshed: 3 April 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Is Blue Moon MK2 on track to land humans at the lunar South Pole by 2030?
Latest on Blue Moon MK2
- What is Blue Moon MK2?
- Blue Origin's large crewed lunar lander, contracted by NASA for $3.4 billion to carry two astronauts to the Moon for Artemis V.Source: NASA / Blue Origin
- How tall is Blue Moon MK2?
- About 16 metres tall, significantly shorter than SpaceX's 52-metre Starship HLS.Source: Blue Origin
- What propulsion does Blue Moon MK2 use?
- Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen (hydrolox) via the BE-7 engine, chosen for high specific impulse efficiency.Source: Blue Origin
- When will Blue Moon MK2 land on the Moon?
- Targeted for Artemis V, no earlier than 2030; an uncrewed demo landing is required first under the NASA contract.Source: NASA HLS contract
- How does Blue Moon differ from Starship HLS?
- Blue Moon MK2 is shorter, uses hydrolox propulsion, and has a more self-contained architecture without requiring multiple in-space tanker refuelling flights.Source: NASA / industry analysis
Background
Blue Moon MK2 is Blue Origin's large crewed lunar lander, selected by NASA in May 2023 under a $3.4 billion Human Landing System contract to carry astronauts to the Moon's surface for the Artemis V mission. Standing approximately 16 metres tall, it uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen (hydrolox) propulsion via Blue Origin's BE-7 engine, a propellant combination chosen for its high specific impulse. The lander can deliver up to 22 tonnes to the lunar surface in reusable configuration, or 30 tonnes in a one-way configuration. Blue Origin has been conducting pressure suit tests at NASA Johnson's Active Response Gravity Offload System, simulating lunar surface operations.
The MK2 is designed to carry two astronauts to the South Pole for stays of up to 30 days, accommodating sleeping quarters, a galley, sanitation facilities, and science stations within the crew cabin. Unlike SpaceX's Starship HLS, which requires multiple tanker flights for in-space refuelling, Blue Moon MK2 is a more self-contained architecture. Before the crewed Artemis V demo, the contract requires an uncrewed demonstration landing at the lunar surface.
Blue Moon MK2 represents Blue Origin's highest-profile public programme since its legal challenge to the original Starship HLS sole-source award in 2021. The company's success in securing Artemis V HLS gives it a credible path to becoming a regular commercial lunar transport provider. NASA's interest in two competing lander providers reflects both risk management and the long-term goal of establishing a sustainable lunar presence.
