Particle.news
Download on the App Store
94 ARTICLES
·
2h ago

NASA Unveils Moon Base Roadmap and Contracts to Begin 2026 Robotic Campaign

The agency is relying on commercial landers, rovers and hopping drones to map the lunar south pole and pre-stage infrastructure that could support astronaut stays by 2032.

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)
Astrobotic’s Griffin lunar lander is seen inside the company’s integration facility. (Astrobotic)
Artist’s rendering depicting lunar surface infrastructure supporting future Moon Base operations, including habitats, power systems, cargo landers, rovers, and astronauts working near the lunar South Pole. (NASA)

Overview

  • NASA unveiled the Moon Base roadmap on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, announcing three uncrewed missions planned to launch before year-end as the opening phase of the effort.
  • Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 1 Mark 1 Endurance lander was named for Moon Base I and received a task order to carry science payloads and transport rovers and cargo to the south pole.
  • NASA awarded roughly $219 million to Astrolab and $220 million to Lunar Outpost to build the first Lunar Terrain Vehicles that astronauts will drive or operate remotely.
  • The agency selected Firefly Aerospace to deliver four hopping MoonFall drones targeted for a 2028 launch to scout hazardous terrain and landing zones, and Phase 1 could involve about 25 launches, 21 landings and roughly 400 metric tons of cargo to the surface.
  • NASA frames the program as three phases—robotic buildup through 2029, infrastructure and early habitation 2029–2032, and a sustained human presence from 2032—and officials say schedule, industry delivery and technical risks will determine progress and costs.