Amazon is already trialling Prime Air drone deliveries to select customers in Cambridge, but it turns out the company is setting sights for its above-ground operations much, much higher.
In a memo sent to NASA and the US government by his Blue Origin space firm, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos calls for colonization of the moon, supported by ‘Amazon-style shipments.’
The deliveries of gear, food and equipment to the lunar surface by mid-2020 would help to create a “future human settlement” on the moon, the memo outlines.
Related: 5 Amazon announcements that surprised us
In response to questions from The (Bezos-owned) Washington Post, the Amazon CEO said: “It is time for America to return to the Moon — this time to stay,”
“
The 7-page white paper marked “proprietary and confidential” called for NASA and the Trump administration to back the Blue Origin plans to act as courier for future missions to the moon.
All in all, it has been a big week for the private space industry, which is growing in stature since NASA budget cuts during the Obama administration.
Earlier this week, Elon Musk confirmed his SpaceX company had taken a “substantial deposit” from two members of the public for a loop around the moon in its Dragon 2 craft next year.
How much would you pay for a long loop around the moon? Share your thoughts below.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
