Coalition for Deep Space Comment As NASA Continues Path to Return to Moon

The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration (Coalition) applauds NASA for awarding a Human Landing System (HLS) contract for the Artemis program. Along with the Space Launch System, the Orion spacecraft, Exploration Ground Systems, and the Gateway, the HLS is a critical component for enabling the return of astronauts to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo era. 

The awarded contract to mature an HLS to flight is a critical milestone which will ensure America’s return to the Moon with industry and international partners keeps moving forward. “The Human Landing System is the final component needed to land humans on the Moon again, this time to learn how to live on another world and prepare for crewed missions to Mars,” said Andrew Allen, the Coalition’s Acting President and CEO. “Landing on the lunar South Pole, further than we have ever gone before, with the HLS, will allow us to gain unprecedented knowledge in science and exploration.”

About the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration

The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration is a national organization of more than 60 space industry businesses and universities focused on ensuring the United States remains a leader in space, science and technology. Based in Washington D.C., the Coalition engages in outreach and education reinforcing the value and benefits of human space exploration, space science and commerce with the public and our nation’s leaders, building lasting support for a long-term, sustainable, strategic direction for our nation’s space program.