Dynetics Human Landing System (HLS)

The Dynetics Human Landing System (HLS) is part of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence there to prepare for future missions to Mars. The Dynetics HLS was one of several proposals submitted to NASA for consideration to transport astronauts from lunar orbit to the Moon’s surface and back. Dynetics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leidos, developed their HLS concept in partnership with a broad team of companies, including Sierra Nevada Corporation, Thales Alenia Space, and others.

Key features of the Dynetics HLS proposal included:

• Innovative Design: Unlike traditional vertical lander designs, the Dynetics HLS featured a low-slung, horizontal layout intended to lower the distance astronauts would need to descend to reach the lunar surface, aiming to simplify the complexity of lunar landings.
• Reusability: The design focused on sustainability and reusability, with intentions for the lander to be refueled and flown multiple times for lunar surface missions.
• Integration: The system was designed to be compatible with both NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) and commercial launch vehicles, offering flexibility in mission planning and launch options.

In April 2021, NASA selected SpaceX’s Starship as the first commercial human lander for the Artemis program. Despite not being selected for the initial HLS contract, Dynetics and other companies continue to work on lunar exploration technologies and may play roles in future NASA missions through different contracts or partnerships.

The Dynetics HLS proposal is an example of the innovative approaches and technologies being developed by companies around the world to support the next era of human space exploration, aligning with the broader goals of establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon and beyond.