The award
Quantum Space has been selected as part of a team led by Arrow Science and Technology for a $185 million award under NASA's Moon Base Transportation program, the company said. The award formed part of a block buy that procured multiple launch and in-space transportation services. Quantum Space's portion of the total contract value is approximately 25%, according to the company.
Roles on the team
Quantum Space serves as subcontractor to Arrow, which is prime contractor and mission integrator. The team includes SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket for launch and Quantum Space for orbital transfer. Terms of the agreement between Quantum Space and Arrow are still being finalized, the company said.
Ranger and CAPSTONE-2
Quantum Space's Ranger orbital transfer vehicle will deliver NASA's two CAPSTONE-2 spacecraft. Ranger is being engineered to operate across the cislunar domain with significant payload flexibility, and is designed to accommodate multiple payloads and support refueling and resupply in orbit. The company said the vehicle will help enable the transportation infrastructure required for sustained lunar operations.
Where it was announced
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and Moon Base Program Manager Carlos Garc\u00eda-Gal\u00e1n announced the awards at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Moon Base program aims to establish an enduring American presence at the lunar south pole, and the transportation awards fall under NASA's Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) contracts within its Commercial Access to Space Program. Jim Bridenstine, chief executive of Quantum Space, thanked the administrator, the program manager and the Moon Base team, and said the capability that delivers NASA spacecraft to the Moon also gives America freedom to maneuver across cislunar space. Jim Baker, founder and chief executive of Arrow, said his company's priority as launch service integrator is removing the complexity of deep space logistics so NASA can focus on its mission objectives.
