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.

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

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.

NASA wants SpaceX and Blue Origin to develop large cargo landers and deliver payloads to the Moon for the Artemis missions. The space agency said Tuesday that the companies will be awarded additional work under existing contracts to mature their designs for the cargo versions of SpaceX’s and Blue Origin’s crewed human landing systems.

Lunar Outpost has picked SpaceX's Starship vehicle to launch its new moon rover and land the wheeled vehicle on the moon.

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,