NASA Announces Three-Phase Plan for Lunar Base Near Moon’s South Pole Through 2036
NASA will launch three uncrewed missions this year to scout landing sites and test rovers. The programme runs through 2036 and includes nine additional missions before 2027.
rte.ieNASA administrator Jared Isaacman announced plans on 26 May at agency headquarters in Washington DC to establish a permanent lunar base near the south pole. The programme consists of three phases that run through 2036. Phase one continues until 2029 and aims to secure reliable access to the lunar surface.
Phase two extends to 2032 and targets initial moon base operating capability. Phase three will construct the actual base, which NASA said will cover hundreds of square kilometres. Three uncrewed missions are scheduled to launch this year.
Moon Base I will use a lander built by Blue Origin and is set for launch toward the end of 2026. Moon Base II and III will also launch this year, though no launch windows have been announced. Astrobotic will supply the lander and an autonomous rover for one of the 2026 missions.
Intuitive Machines will provide the lander for the remaining mission. Intuitive Machines has attempted two prior lunar landings, neither fully successful. The 2026 missions will study the lunar surface in detail to reduce risks for future landings and will test autonomous rovers.
At least nine additional missions will be announced before 2027. Astrolab and Lunar Outpost will each receive more than $200 million under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services programme to develop lunar-terrain vehicles. Astrolab’s vehicle is a human-operated design that can carry nearly 1000 kilograms and travel at nearly 10 kilometres per hour.
Lunar Outpost’s vehicle will travel at more than 14 km/h and operate autonomously. The MoonFall mission, scheduled for 2028, will send four drones on short hops across the surface to capture high-resolution images for future Artemis landing sites. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California will build the drones, while Firefly Aerospace will construct the spacecraft that carries them to the moon.
