# NASA Awards Interlune Lunar Resource Contract

NASA has awarded Seattle-based startup Interlune a **$6.9 million** Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III contract on May 4, 2026, to develop and validate the Prospect Moon payload suite for extracting helium-3, hydrogen, and oxygen from lunar regolith. This 18-month firm-fixed-price contract supports NASA's Artemis program and Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, aiming to advance in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technologies critical for establishing a sustainable lunar economy and infrastructure. The payload is scheduled for integration on a commercial lunar lander by fall 2027 with a targeted launch in 2028, marking a significant step toward transitioning space activities from exploration to industrial applications.

- **Why this matters:** This contract represents a key opportunity for contractors specializing in lunar payload development, resource extraction technologies, and space infrastructure, aligning with NASA's goals for sustainable lunar presence and Artemis mission support.
- The project supports reducing reliance on Earth-supplied materials by enabling extraction of valuable gases like helium-3, which has terrestrial applications in quantum computing, medical imaging, and national security.
- Procurement professionals should note the emphasis on public-private partnerships and the growing market for lunar resource technologies, signaling expanding opportunities in space commercialization.
- Companies involved in payload integration, robotic lander missions, and ISRU technology development may find strategic value in aligning with NASA's SBIR Phase III initiatives and CLPS program.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Information Technology, Energy & Utilities
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Contracting Vehicles, Grants & Funding
**Published:** May 10, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
- NASA Game Changing Development program (GCD)
- NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program (SBIR)

### Vendors
- Interlune (awardee)
- Astrolab (partner for FLIP rover payload)
- Astrobotic (lander mission provider)

### Key Quotes
> The moon base is going to be essential to us, whether we’re operating adjacent to the moon base or not.
> — Rob Meyerson, Chief Executive of Interlune

> A major goal of NASA is to mature transformative technologies so they can be confidently adopted by industry.
> — Michael Johansen, Deputy Program Manager for NASA's Game Changing Development Program

> For the first time ever, we will measure volatile gases by heating lunar regolith while on the Moon, dramatically advancing the scientific community's understanding of its properties.
> — Dr. Elizabeth Frank, Chief Scientist, Interlune

### Sources
- [Interlune wins $6.9M NASA SBIR Phase III contract to extract He-3 & hydrogen from lunar regolith. 18-month program → 2028 mission. Co. holds ~$500M in binding He-3 purchase orders from quantum computing, medical imaging & nat'l security buyers.

https://t.co/LDyZwrEXdq](https://x.com/SpaceLedgerX/status/2051754379263332556) - twitter-agency
- [Interlune wins $6.9M NASA contract to create system to extract helium-3 and hydrogen from moon dirt https://t.co/p8doA7O74F](https://x.com/geekwire/status/2051357635434500296) - twitter-agency
- [Interlune wins NASA contract for helium-3 extraction payload https://t.co/NIjmHQTv27 https://t.co/TuCIRUkeAz](https://x.com/SpaceNews_Inc/status/2051304013744710008) - twitter-agency