---
type: entity
entity_type: protocol
name: Blue Moon Mark 2
domain: space-development
status: development
parent_org: Blue Origin
---

# Blue Moon Mark 2

**Type:** Human Landing System (HLS)
**Developer:** Blue Origin
**Status:** Development (as of March 2026)
**Program:** NASA Artemis

## Overview

Blue Moon Mark 2 is Blue Origin's commercially developed Human Landing System for NASA's Artemis program. It serves as a potential backup to SpaceX's Starship HLS for crewed lunar landing missions.

## Development Status

As of February 2026, Blue Moon Mark 2 remains in development with uncertain schedule certainty. NASA framed it as "if Starship isn't ready, Blue Moon could be the only target" for Artemis III LEO docking tests, suggesting Blue Origin's readiness is also uncertain.

## Program Role

Blue Moon Mark 2 is part of NASA's dual-HLS strategy, providing redundancy against single-provider dependency on SpaceX's Starship HLS.

## Timeline

- **2026-02-27** — Identified as potential participant in Artemis III LEO docking test (mid-2027) alongside or instead of Starship HLS, pending development progress

## Sources

- SatNews, 2026-02-27: NASA Artemis program overhaul announcement