Posted: Sun, Feb 14, 2021, 9:52 AM ET (1452 GMT)
A Falcon Heavy will launch the first modules of the lunar Gateway. NASA said Tuesday it awarded a contract to SpaceX for the Falcon Heavy launch of the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) and Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) modules of the Gateway no earlier than May 2024. NASA originally expected to launch the two modules separately, then dock them in orbit around the moon, but said last year that launching them together would reduce technical risk and save money. The Falcon Heavy launch contract is valued at $331.8 million, far higher than previous Falcon Heavy awards, which may be due to special requirements for the mission such as an extended payload fairing.

Related Links:

•  SpaceNews article
•  Spaceflight Now article
•  The Verge article
•  CNN article
•  NASA press release