NASA taps SpaceX to develop lunar landing system

HAWTHORNE — Hawthorne-based SpaceX was one of three aerospace firms chosen by NASA today to develop a landing system that will carry astronauts between the surface of the Moon and a planned orbiting base.
NASA hopes to return astronauts to the moon by 2024 through its Artemis program. Part of that effort includes the development of an lunar-orbiting base known as Gateway that will serve as a stopping point for astronauts between the Earth and moon.
Under the contracts announced Thursday, S