After asking both SpaceX and Blue Origin to develop cargo landers for its Artemis missions, NASA has announced plans to use those landers to deliver heavy equipment to the Moon.

The lunar projects are signs of continuing growth in the sector and a climate that could encourage startup formation and more merger activity.

NASA and SpaceX released a new set of illustrations showing off how Starship might look as it lands astronauts on the moon during the Artemis 3 mission.

NASA is advancing lunar exploration with the Artemis campaign, engaging SpaceX and Blue Origin to deliver vital equipment to the Moon. This initiative, which includes sending a rover and a habitat, sets the stage for extended lunar stays and a future Mars exploration.

A braking burn maneuver using two HLS Raptor engines will then ease the spacecraft into its landing. Given Starship’s height, astronauts will need to utilize a specially designed elevator to lower them and their equipment onto the moon, at which point they can make history as the first humans to return to the lunar surface in over 55 years.

The agency said SpaceX and Blue Origin would provide landers that would deliver large pieces of equipment and infrastructure to the lunar surface.

Lunar Outpost's take on the LTV is called Eagle, and it looks like a mix of a tiny pickup truck and a massive golf cart. The company has provided scant details on the machine, but it has noted that it's working with multiple industry partners to perfect the design,