NASA Outlines Plans for Lunar Base Operations by 2029

NASA presented plans for a lunar base intended to support continuous human presence on the Moon's surface. The agency stated the facility is scheduled to reach working order by 2029. The base will be located at the lunar South Pole. NASA said the site will eventually cover hundreds of square miles and include separate zones for technology, habitation, and science.

III is set to launch in late 2027, with its crew to be named on June 9. Artemis V is planned for a lunar landing in late 2028. Three unmanned missions are scheduled for this year. Moon Base 1 will be conducted with Blue Origin. Moon Base 2 will carry Astrobotic's Griffin 1 lander and more than 1,000 pounds of cargo.

Moon Base 3 will deliver payloads from the European Space Agency and South Korea's space agency.

Phase one includes 25 launches and 21 landings to deliver four tonnes of cargo. Habitats will be placed on hills for sunlight, while power systems will be located more than a kilometre away to reduce radiation exposure. Initial operations are planned from 2029 to 2032, with a goal of consistent human presence by 2032.

NASA said the base will serve as a test site for future Mars missions. >"Really, it is to have an environment where we can work with the water, ice and master the skills for where we go next, which is Mars.