[1][2] 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.
[6][7] In mid-August, Blue Origin filed a lawsuit in the US Court of Federal Claims challenging "NASA's unlawful and improper evaluation of proposals.
"[6][8] The National Team of Blue Origin/Northrop Grumman/Lockheed-Martin/Draper was just one of three organizations who developed lunar lander designs for the Artemis program over a year-long period in 2020–21 under the NASA HLS funding rubric.
[9] ILV was designed by "the National Team", consisting of Blue Origin, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Draper.
[11][12] However, on 27 January 2021, NASA informed each of the HLS contractors that the original ten-month program would be extended two months to end on or before 30 April 2021.
"Immature propulsion and communications systems, along with concerns about third party suppliers, 'create serious doubt as to the realism of Blue Origin's proposed development schedule,' according to the source selection statement" from NASA.
[6] In mid-August, Blue Origin filed a lawsuit in the US Court of Federal Claims challenging "NASA's unlawful and improper evaluation of proposals.
The Integrated Lander Vehicle (ILV)—also known as the "National HLS"[citation needed]—was designed for long-duration in-space use, as well as long stays on the lunar surface.