Masten space systems files for bankruptcy

Masten Space Systems filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Thursday, putting at risk a NASA-funded mission to send a Masten-built lander to the surface of the moon.

The company told a Delaware court that it owed millions in liabilities to companies including SpaceX, Astrobotic, NuSpace and others.

Masten was selected by NASA under the agency’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program to deliver eight payloads to the lunar surface, for $75.9 million.

The contract went far over budget and hit Covid pandemic-related obstacles. The company has been unable to raise funds or pay employees.