NASA Awards Contracts for Moon Base Landers Rovers and Drones

NASA outlined the first phase of its moon base plans on Tuesday, awarding contracts to four U.S. companies for landers, rovers and drones. Blue Origin will supply a pair of landers to deliver lunar terrain vehicles to a site near the moon's south pole.

The vehicles will be built by Astrolab and Lunar Outpost. Firefly Aerospace will deliver the first drones to the lunar surface. All equipment is intended to reach the moon before the first Artemis crewed landing, currently planned for as early as 2028.

II, completed in April, carried four astronauts around the moon. Artemis III is targeted for mid-2027 and will include docking practice between the Orion capsule and lunar landers. A landing by two astronauts is scheduled to follow as soon as 2028. The second phase of base construction, from 2029 into the early 2030s, will add permanent infrastructure including a power grid.

A program executive said the third phase in the 2030s will introduce specialized habitats for extended crew stays. Officials described the base as eventually covering hundreds of square miles, with drones stationed at the perimeter. The stated goals include scientific research, development of a lunar economy, and preparation for future Mars missions.