dbo:abstract
- The Dynetics Autonomous Logistics Platform for All-Moon Cargo Access (ALPACA)—also known as Dynetics HLS—(ILV) is a human spaceflight lunar lander design concept proposed in 2020/21 for the NASA Human Landing System (HLS) component of the Artemis program. Dynetics was the lead contractor for the ALPACA lander—other contractors included Sierra Nevada Corporation—for NASA's Artemis Program. The lander concept was initiated in 2019, and in April 2020, Dynetics won a US$253 million contract from NASA for a year-long design concept study to be completed in early 2021. NASA had intended to subsequently issue build and test contracts to one or two of the three 2020 awardees in order to advance the human landing element of the Artemis Program. In the event, the Dynetics HLS proposal was not selected by NASA in April 2021, and a sole HLS award was won by SpaceX with the Starship HLS proposal. However, Dynetics, together with Blue Origin, protested this decision with the GAO through the S. 1260, also known as the US Innovation and Competitiveness Act. The appeal was unsuccessful, and on 30th July 2021, GAO upheld NASA's choice of SpaceX as the sole recipient of the HLS contract. Dynetics resubmitted their proposal under Appendix N, which covered sustainable lunar landers. On September 14th, NASA awarded five companies a contract to advance in the process, with Dynetics receiving a $40.8 million contract. In terms of physical size, the Dynetics design is the smallest of the three proposals funded by NASA in 2020; however, it is the second largest in terms of development funding secured from NASA. The ALPACA (if ultimately selected) will land and then ascend back into orbit and rendezvous with the NASA Orion or the Lunar Gateway. ALPACA is expected to be subsequently proposed to be used to deliver lunar cargo such as ISRU technology, base modules and pressurized rovers to the surface of the Moon. (en)