NASA details $30 bln lunar base plan, awards $600 mln to firms
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NASA has detailed its plan for a $30 billion permanent lunar base, awarding nearly $600 million to Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines for infrastructure development. The project moves from concept to implementation, with robotic missions to the Moon's South Pole scheduled before end-2028.
Three-Phase Deployment
NASA's lunar base plan is divided into three phases. Phase 1 (through 2029) includes up to 25 robotic missions, deployment of MoonFall drones, and initial tests of autonomous power systems. Phase 2 (2029–2032) will deliver a pressurized rover from Japan's JAXA and test compact nuclear and solar reactors for power during the two-week lunar night. Phase 3 (after 2032) involves launching a habitable complex, extracting water and oxygen from lunar ice, and transitioning to a permanent human presence.
Supplier Diversification
NASA emphasizes diversifying suppliers to mitigate risks, citing the recent accident during Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket tests. The agency has distributed contracts among multiple private contractors to build a reliable transportation system. Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines received nearly $600 million combined for lunar infrastructure preparation.
International Competition
The United States is not alone in planning nuclear power on the Moon. Under the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project, Russia and China aim to deploy an autonomous nuclear reactor on the lunar surface by 2033–2035. This parallel effort highlights growing global interest in lunar energy and habitation.
What's Next
NASA's first robotic missions to the Moon's South Pole are set for late 2028. It remains unclear how the agency will manage the high risks of deep-space logistics, especially after the Blue Origin incident.
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NASA details $30 bln lunar base plan, awards $600 mln to firms
