Elon Musk is going help NASA refuel in space and Bezos is going to help it land on the Moon

• Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Elon Musk's SpaceX are two of thirteen companies selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) to help build technologies for Artemis — US' mission to the moon.
• SpaceX is going to help NASA figure out how to land its rockets vertically on the moon and refuel while still in orbit.
• Blue Origin is going to be working with NASA on its guidance and navigation system to land safely on the Moon.

One of the world's richest men, and one of its sharpest brains will help get the first woman and the next man onto the moon. Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Elon Musk's SpaceX are among the thirteen companies selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA).

And, they're not charging a penny.

NASA's mission to the Moon, Artemis, is expected to take off in 2024. This will be the first time since 1976 that the US is attempting to land humans on the lunar surface.

The firms roped in to help out will partner with various NASA centers around the US to not only help build the software and hardware required for the mission, but also provide their expertise and tools at no cost.

SpaceX will help NASA figure out how to refuel in space...

Musk's SpaceX is going to help NASA build its rockets. Rockets, sometimes referred to as launch vehicles, are the first step to sending anything into space.

For Artemis, SpaceX will help NASA take its technology to the next level so that they can vertically land large rockets on the Moon. It includes figuring out how the engine's plume is going to interact with the lunar surface.

In order to keep the ship going, SpaceX is also going to help NASA figure out how to refuel in space. There are a lot of advantages to doing this but the primary benefit is the effect on the efficiency of the spacecraft. Having the ability to refuel in orbit means that Starship, NASA's spacecraft, will have more fuel to conduct maneuvers and have greater range for future missions.

...And Blue Origin will help NASA land on the Moon

Bezos' Blue Origin will be working at NASA's Johnson Space Center to build a navigation and guidance system, to help NASA's lunar module land on the moon.

The technology is integral to ensure that the lander can precisely assess the landing site to make sure its safe and attempt the descent, with accuracy.

Blue Origin will also help out with the lander itself.

The company, in collaboration with Glenn and Johnson, will devise a fuel cell power system for the Blue Moon lander so that it has enough to survive lunar nights when there is no solar power draw on.

These lunar nights are particularly dangerous since they can last for over two weeks and temperatures drop to below 270 degrees Celsius.

Bezos' space company is also going to partner with Marshall and Langley to assess the high-temperature materials needed for liquid rocket engine nozzles that will be equipped on the lunar landers.

NASA's mission to the Moon, Artemis, is expected to take off in 2024. The success of the mission will determine whether or not the US apex space agency will send the first ever humans to Mars.

Other companies on the roster include Aerogel Technologies, Anasphere, Lockheed Martin, Spirit AeroSystem, Maxar Technologies, Bally Ribbons Mills, Colorado Power Electronics and Aerojet Rocketdyne.

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