The US Court of Federal Claims on Thursday ruled against Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin in a lawsuit contesting NASA’s decision to award a lucrative contract to rival SpaceX. NASA awarded SpaceX the contract to develop the agency’s Human Landing System in April. The contract, worth $2.9 billion, engages SpaceX to transport NASA astronauts to the moon for the agency’s Artemis missions.

Blue Origin filed suit in the US Court of Federal Claims in August. The court is a specialized court for monetary claims against the US government. Congress created the modern version of the court through legislation in 1982. Disputes regarding awards of federal contracts are often filed in this court, such as in this case.

Blue Origin claimed that NASA selectively enforced safety requirements in the bidding process, allowing SpaceX to proceed with a complex and risky design. The order by Judge Hertling dismissed Blue Origin’s claims but does not provide the court’s reasoning. A redacted copy of Judge Hertling’s opinion will be released on November 18.

NASA issued a press release stating that they would begin work on the SpaceX contract immediately. Work on the Artemis program was paused during litigation. NASA also stated that there will be future contracts for private space companies to bid on, including the construction of a long-term human presence on the moon.