SpaceX’s Starship test program is picking up speed as the company secures its second commercial deal to transport a payload to the moon using a lunar lander version of the enormous vehicle.

Starship is set to deliver Lunar Outpost’s robust rover, named Eagle, to the lunar surface by 2029, as stated by the Colorado-based startup. Lunar Outpost CEO Justin Cyrus did not disclose further details about the mission, such as whether it will be a dedicated flight or part of a rideshare, or the expenses involved. It remains unclear how Starship will transfer the rover, resembling a small pickup truck, from within the vehicle to the surface.

Lunar Outpost’s aspirations for the rover received a significant boost from NASA earlier this year when the agency chose it, alongside two other teams, for the initial phase of a lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) program. These three teams were selected for a year-long contract to progress their rover concepts for potential utilization by astronauts in NASA’s Artemis program. The twelve-month period will lead to a subsequent competitive request for proposals where the three companies will vie for a demonstration task order.

The LTV program holds the promise of being highly lucrative, with a total potential value of task orders reaching $4.6 billion over the next thirteen years. Although the agency specified that due to budget constraints, only a single provider will be chosen.

Even if Lunar Outpost’s team, which also includes Leidos, General Motors, Goodyear, and MDA Space, is not picked by NASA, Cyrus mentioned that the company plans to continue with rover development.

“Lunar Outpost Eagle is our primary vehicle and will form the foundation of outposts on other planetary bodies,” Cyrus expressed in an email. “Our company has concentrated on mobility from the beginning, and the lunar terrain vehicle has advanced our truly industry-leading capabilities that enable a sustainable presence on the moon and Mars.” The startup recently concluded a Series A funding round for an undisclosed amount last month to help various initiatives, including the rover development.

The latest contract for Starship cargo delivery closely follows a previous deal SpaceX inked last year with Venturi Astrolab, leading a team selected under the LTV program, to deliver its rover to the moon’s surface.