Aerospace companies play significant role in NASA's Artemis III mission

The Artemis III mission is prompting a significant role for Washington state aerospace contractors. NASA named Boeing, L3Harris Technologies and Blue Origin as key regional contributors as the agency plans to return astronauts to the Moon and establish a sustained presence. Redmond-based L3Harris will contribute propulsion work for multiple NASA crafts, with ongoing production at its facility. The company is also developing electric propulsion for Space Reactor-One Freedom, a nuclear spacecraft slated for launch in coming years. NASA says Artemis III engines are delivered and ready for the flight next year, as per L3Harris Civil Space Director Joe Cassady. This effort envisions a multi-decade program that would support lunar operations and future Mars missions.