Bridenstine Begins To Make His Mark on NASA Lunar Policy

NASA Expands Plans for Moon Exploration: More Missions, More Science

"NASA is returning to the Moon with commercial and international partners as part of an overall agency Exploration Campaign in support of Space Policy Directive 1. It all starts with robotic missions on the lunar surface, as well as a Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway for astronauts in space beyond the Moon. Right now, NASA is preparing to purchase new small lunar payload delivery services, develop lunar landers, and conduct more research on the Moon's surface ahead of a human return. And that long-term exploration and development of the Moon will give us the experience for the next giant leap - human missions to Mars and destinations beyond."

Keith's note: NASA Administrator Bridenstine was clearly caught off guard last week hours after he was sworn in when it became clear that his staff had cancelled a prominent lunar mission, Resource Prospector. A few hours after the dust settled he was tweeting about it - from his perspective. One look at the title of this NASA press release ("More Missions, More Science") and his tweets should leave little doubt that he is calling the shots.

Next week there is a Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) Industry Day at NASA HQ. While these events have a lot of Q&A for potential contractors, there are a lot of NASA presentations scheduled - and Bridenstine tweeted that he would be there. If NASA is really interested in getting the word out about its lunar ambitions, putting this event on NASA TV would be an easy way to start by broadening the reach of this otherwise closed off event. No word yet if any of the event will be presented live to a larger audience.

- Trying To Understand What NASA Is Saying About Resource Prospector, earlier post
- Commercial Lunar Payload Services (Update), earlier post