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NASA has released significant updates regarding its ambitious initiative to construct a permanent human settlement on the Moon. These new details provide a clearer roadmap for establishing a sustained human presence on the lunar surface. The announcement outlined several critical technologies essential for this endeavor, including advanced lunar rovers, uncrewed cargo landers, and specialized scouting drones known as MoonFall. These autonomous drones are scheduled to explore the lunar south pole as early as 2028, identifying safe zones for future human missions. Furthermore, NASA revealed that the future moon base will occupy a vast territory, spanning hundreds of square miles, a scale that underscores the agency’s commitment to long-term habitation.
On May 26, 2026, NASA shared specific details concerning the decade-long project to build this lunar outpost. The agency awarded new contracts for lunar rovers and uncrewed landers, signaling a transition from planning to execution. NASA also provided further information about the hopping MoonFall drones, which will survey the lunar surface to identify optimal landing spots for crewed missions. Agency leaders outlined specific launch timeframes and major milestones for the moon base project, creating a structured timeline for international and commercial partners. The mission is divided into distinct phases. The second phase, planned to begin in 2029, aims to establish short-term human habitation and exploration activities. This phase will lay the necessary groundwork for longer stays, eventually evolving into a permanent community.
NASA also highlighted the impressive scale of the planned installation. Carlos García-Galán, the manager of the moon base program, explained the vision during a press conference. He stated that the base will cover hundreds of square miles, a significant expansion from previous temporary camps. This large area will allow different assets to work together toward the goal of a permanent human presence. The objective is to create a functioning community rather than a transient research station. By establishing a robust infrastructure, NASA intends to support continuous scientific research and technological development on the lunar surface.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized the historic nature of this endeavor. He described the moon base as the first outpost for America and humanity on another celestial world. He noted that every mission, whether carrying astronauts or not, will serve as a critical learning opportunity. The agency will return to the lunar surface repeatedly to build the necessary infrastructure. Astronauts will master the skills required to live and work in one of the most demanding environments imaginable. The mission aims to advance science, gain economic and technological benefits, and develop innovations that improve life on Earth. It also serves as preparation for future missions to Mars and beyond, establishing the Moon as a stepping stone for deeper space exploration.
NASA announced the first three moon base missions, which are part of Phase 1 of three planned long-term phases. These missions will begin building sustained operations on the lunar surface. Each mission targets the fall of 2026, ensuring a rapid deployment of essential equipment and scientific instruments.
This mission is targeted for launch no earlier than the fall of 2026. It will use Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 1 Endurance lander to deliver NASA payloads to the surface. The lander will carry specialized equipment, including Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume-Surface Studies. This instrument will study how rocket thrusters interact with the lunar soil, providing crucial data for future landing precision. The mission will also deliver a Laser Retroreflective Array. This device helps orbiting spacecraft determine a more precise location using reflected laser light, enhancing navigation safety. The lander will touch down on the Shackleton Connecting Ridge. This location was chosen to demonstrate capabilities that reduce risk for future crewed Artemis landing missions in 2028.
This mission is also planned for launch in late 2026. It will deliver more than 1,100 pounds (500 kg) of cargo using Astrobotic’s Griffin lander. A key component of this cargo is Astrolab’s FLIP rover. This rover will test and refine mobility systems. These tests are essential for the development of future Lunar Terrain Vehicles. Improving rover technology is critical for supporting astronauts during extended missions, allowing them to travel greater distances and collect more samples.
Targeted for late 2026, this mission will fly the first payload selected through NASA’s Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon (PRISM) initiative. The anchor investigation for this mission is called Lunar Vertex. It will fly on Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C Trinity lunar lander. Lunar Vertex will study lunar swirls. These are bright, light-colored spots on the Moon’s surface. Understanding these swirls will improve knowledge of surface evolution and how materials behave under extreme conditions. This mission also includes payloads from the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI). This reflects the growing commercial and international participation in moon base activities, highlighting a collaborative approach to space exploration.
These three missions are just the beginning. More than a dozen additional missions will be announced in 2026. Each mission is designed to generate operational data and reduce risk before crewed Artemis surface activities begin. By testing hardware and procedures in the lunar environment, NASA aims to minimize uncertainties for future human expeditions.
NASA also shared new details about the MoonFall mission. This mission will send four drones to fly short hops across the lunar surface. These drones will survey potential landing sites for Artemis astronauts, ensuring that future crewed missions land in safe and scientifically valuable areas. The design and prototype hardware are being developed and tested by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. Firefly Aerospace has been selected to build the spacecraft that will transport the drones from Earth orbit to the Moon. The launch is scheduled for 2028.
The drones will land independently on the lunar surface. They will then gather high-resolution imagery of hard-to-reach terrain during a single lunar day. This process will take about two Earth weeks, allowing for extensive data collection. After each drone’s final flight, a special payload will remain behind. This payload is designed to survive the harsh lunar night. It will continue to operate for several months, providing continuous monitoring of the environment. This marks a sustained U.S. presence at the lunar south pole, even during periods when human activity is not possible.
García-Galán revealed that these drones could also help define the boundaries of the moon base. He explained that the drones will be placed at the corners of areas with key scientific objectives. These locations are also where the agency plans to build up the moon base infrastructure. By mapping these critical zones, the drones will guide the construction of habitats and research facilities.
NASA has awarded significant contracts to companies to build the first phase of lunar terrain vehicles. Astrolab received $219 million, and Lunar Outpost received $220 million. These funds will enable NASA to deploy crewed and uncrewed mobility systems to the lunar surface by 2028. This deployment will occur through the agency’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, fostering a robust commercial ecosystem for space logistics.
Astrolab’s Crewed Lunar Vehicle, or CLV-1, is adapted from the company’s FLEX architecture. This is a crewed rover designed to transport astronauts, carry supplies, and support remote operations. It has a compact stowed configuration and weighs about 2,000 pounds (900 kg). The vehicle can reach speeds of more than 6 miles per hour (9.6 kph) on level terrain. This speed allows astronauts to cover significant distances during their surface missions, maximizing their productivity.
Lunar Outpost’s Pegasus rover complements this capability. It is a lighter, mission-ready evolution of its Eagle rover. Pegasus was designed explicitly to meet NASA’s updated lunar vehicle requirements. It is operational for up to a year. The rover can be driven manually, autonomously, or via teleoperation. It can reach speeds of more than 9 miles per hour (14.5 kph). Pegasus incorporates technologies from the Apollo era and builds on prototype experience. It delivers the human-centered mobility essential for establishing a sustained moon base.
To deliver these rovers to the lunar south pole region, NASA awarded Blue Origin $188 million. There is also an option period worth $280.4 million for two task orders. NASA can choose to extend the task order for payload delivery. This flexibility ensures that the agency can adapt to changing mission needs, accommodating new scientific requirements or technical challenges.
Deploying multiple lunar terrain vehicles early in the moon base development will accelerate technology demonstrations. It will also inform site planning and reduce operational risk. These steps are crucial ahead of crewed Artemis missions, ensuring that astronauts have the tools they need to succeed.
Artemis 3, scheduled for 2027, will see a crewed Orion capsule dock with one or both of the lunar landers currently being privately developed. These landers include SpaceX’s Starship and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon. This docking maneuver is a critical step in the return to the Moon, requiring precise coordination between orbital and surface assets.
Artemis 4, set for 2028, will finally see humans return to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972. This mission will mark a new era of exploration. With the construction of the moon base, NASA hopes that this time, humanity will stick around. The goal is to establish a lasting legacy on the Moon, paving the way for deeper space exploration. By building a permanent infrastructure, NASA aims to transform the Moon from a destination into a home base for humanity’s journey into the cosmos.