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2h ago

NASA Announces Three‑Phase Roadmap and First Contracts to Build Moon Base Near South Pole

The plan pairs an intensive robotic scouting campaign with commercial landers and rovers to reduce risk for crewed Artemis landings and aim for a sustained lunar presence by the early 2030s.

Artist’s rendering depicting astronauts, habitats, rovers, power systems, and cargo operations supporting sustained human activities at the Moon Base near the lunar South Pole. (NASA)
Artist’s rendering of conceptual Moon Base Phase Three development activities near the lunar South Pole. (NASA)
Artist’s rendering of a MoonFall drone operating near the lunar South Pole.
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Overview

  • NASA unveiled the roadmap at a May 26 briefing and named three uncrewed Moon Base missions set to launch by the end of 2026, with the first mission scheduled no earlier than this fall.
  • The agency awarded rover and delivery contracts in the initial tranche: Astrolab $219 million and Lunar Outpost $220 million to build lunar terrain vehicles, Blue Origin a $188 million task order to deliver rovers, and Firefly to build the MoonFall transport with a 2028 launch target.
  • Phase one calls for a large robotic build‑out — roughly 25 launches, 21 landings and about 400 metric tons of cargo — to scout terrain, prospect for water ice and pre‑stage equipment before crews arrive.
  • NASA ties the moon base timeline to Artemis test flights, with orbital technology demonstrations planned in 2027 and crewed landings targeted for 2028, meaning success depends on timely commercial deliveries and demonstrations such as lander validation and in‑orbit refueling.
  • The program uses the Commercial Lunar Payload Services model to speed procurement, will include international science payloads, and is intended to test power, mobility and resource use on the South Pole as preparation for longer stays and future Mars missions.