Responding to the ruling on Twitter, Mr Bezos said: "Not the decision we wanted, but we respect the court's judgment, and wish full success for NASA and SpaceX on the contract."

Earlier this year, Bill Nelson, NASA administrator, confirmed that the goal remained 2024, but complained that Blue Origin's protest against the initial awarding of the contract had held up mission progress for 100 days while it was considered and ultimately thrown out.

"There are a lot of blockades that have been put in front of us," said Mr Nelson, explaining that even if Blue Origin's new appeal to the Federal Court of Claims was also thrown out - as it now has been - Mr Bezos's company could then escalate things to the United States Court of Appeals.

A spokesperson for Blue Origin told Sky News: "Blue Origin remains deeply committed to the success of the Artemis programme, and we have a broad base of activity on multiple contracts with NASA to achieve the United States' goal to return to the Moon to stay.

"We are fully engaged with NASA to mature sustainable lander designs, conduct a wide variety of technology risk reductions, and provide Commercial Lunar Payload Services.

"We are also under contract with NASA to develop in-situ resource utilisation technology, lunar space robotics, and lunar landing sensor collaboration including testing on New Shepard.

"We look forward to hearing from NASA on next steps in the HLS procurement process," they added.