Elon Musk snub: China tech expert says fears of AI ‘digital super intelligence’ are wrong

The companies added yesterday — SpaceX, Blue Origin, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Ceres Robotics, Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems Inc. — all vow to transport much heavier payloads than what the original nine CLPS companies say they can carry.

The original nine companies were originally set the target of taking ten kilograms to the moon but the new companies added should be able to able to eventually carry several tons.

“We have a need and saw a need to bring on some additional providers that had enhanced lander capabilities,” Steve Clarke, deputy associate administrator for exploration in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, said during a press conference announcing the new CLPS participants.

“This is based on our objectives — the agency’s objectives — to get to the moon as soon as possible, both from a scientific standpoint and from a human exploration standpoint.”