NASA selected Blue Origin to develop a second lunar lander for the Artemis program.

The Artemis program is a NASA program that aims to return humans to the Moon by 2024. 

Blue Origin's lander, called Blue Moon, will be capable of carrying four astronauts to the lunar surface. 

The selection of Blue Origin was a surprise to some, as SpaceX had been the frontrunner for the contract.  

However, NASA said that Blue Origin's lander was a better fit for the Artemis program 

because it was more capable of carrying heavier payloads to the lunar surface. 

Blue Origin is a privately funded aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company founded by Jeff Bezos in 2000. 

The company is headquartered in Kent, Washington, and has facilities in Florida, Texas, and West Virginia. 

NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It is an independent agency of the 

U.S. federal government responsible for the civilian space program, aeronautics research, and space research.