April 16 (Reuters) -

* NASA SAYS IT PICKS SPACEX FOR MOON LANDER PROGRAM

* NASA SAYS PLANNING FOR 'REGULARLY RECURRING' MISSIONS TO THE MOON

* NASA SAYS CHOOSING SPACEX WAS IN AGENCY'S BEST INTEREST, 'ALONG WITH BUDGET THAT WAS THERE'

* NASA OFFICIAL SAYS MOON MISSION COULD TAKE PLACE 'AS SOON AS 2024'

* NASA SAYS NO INTENTION TO REVISIT THE SELECTION OF SPACEX FOR LUNAR LANDING CRAFT Source text for Eikon: (Reporting by Chris Sanders)