NASA Details Phased Plan for Moon Base Development

NASA provided new details Tuesday on its plan to establish a moon base, with the first phase focused on demonstrating technology and contractor capabilities through 2029. The agency said it aims to return humans to the lunar surface in 2028 as part of the Artemis program. It plans 25 launches and 21 landings during Phase 1, delivering about 4 metric tons of cargo.

Origin will supply the Blue Moon Mark 1 Endurance Lander for the Moon Base I mission, scheduled no earlier than fall 2026. The lander will carry scientific payloads to the lunar South Pole. Astrobotic is building a second lander for the Moon Base II mission that will deliver more than 1,100 pounds of cargo.

NASA also awarded Astrolaub and Lunar Outpost a combined $439 million to develop lunar terrain vehicles.

Isaacman said the lunar surface reaches over 250 degrees in sunlight and drops below -250 degrees in darkness, with no atmospheric protection from radiation or meteorites. "America is returning to the moon," Isaacman said during the news conference.

" Carlos García-Galán, NASA program executive for the Moon Base, said Phase 1 will test survival technology and infrastructure needs before permanent habitation begins in later phases.