Fight, not Flight: Blue Origin sues NASA over $2.9 billion deal

Blue Origin launches lawsuit against NASA after missing out on lunar lander contract to SpaceX.

The firm of former Amazon boss Jeff Bezos is suing NASA over its $2.9 billion deal with Elon Musk.

The space agency awarded the pricey lunar lander contract to SpaceX, following the decision to fund one of the two companies back in April.

The funding will assist SpaceX in the development of a landing system that has the possibility to take astronauts down to the Moon’s surface by 2024. 

“Fundamental issues” Blue Origin Claims

Bezos’ firm Blue Origin says there were “fundamental issues” with the deal, after filing a lawsuit in the US Court of Federal Claims on Friday. 

With the support of the Government Accountability Officer (GAO), NASA made the decision to pick a single lunar lander provider due to a shortfall in funding. 

But Blue Origin says the decision is “unfair” and believe two providers are necessary to build the landing system. 

“The issues identified in this procurement and its outcomes must be addressed to restore fairness, create competition, and ensure a safe return to the Moon for America,” Blue Origin says.

The former Amazon boss’ firm and defence contractor Dynetics argue that NASA should award multiple firms with the funding. 

However the GAO rejected the complaint and says it “denies the protest arguments that NASA acted improperly in making a single award to SpaceX.”

NASA is yet to comment on the matter as officials review the details of the case, with a response expected by October 12.  

SpaceX is also yet to comment on the lawsuit.

Written by Rebecca Borg