Nasa unveils next steps to build permanent Moon base

Nasa has outlined its next steps toward establishing a permanent Moon base, focusing on deploying robotic landers, hopping drones, and delivery vehicles to the lunar surface. The agency has awarded contracts to companies including Blue Origin, Intuitive Machines, and Astrobotic to develop these machines, which will explore and map the Moon’s terrain ahead of human missions. The goal is to return Americans to the Moon before 2029 and build a sustainable base near the lunar South Pole by 2032, enabling scientific research, resource mining, and future Mars missions. The initial phase of Nasa’s Ignition Moon Base programme involves sending robotic explorers to conduct detailed surveys and deliver scientific instruments such as high-resolution cameras and laser-based landing aids. Blue Origin’s Endurance lander will feature precise landing capabilities and autonomous navigation, while Astrobotic’s Griffin-1 lander is slated to touch down at Nobile Crater. Over the next several years, Nasa plans approximately 25 launches to deliver around four metric tonnes of cargo to the Moon, laying the groundwork for human habitation. Nasa’s ambitions come amid intensifying competition with China, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030 and recently launched its Shenzhou-23 crew to the Tiangong space station. Experts express skepticism about Nasa’s aggressive timeline, citing challenges in developing human-rated lunar landers and China’s rapid progress in space exploration. Some scientists believe China may be the first to return humans to the lunar surface after the Apollo era. Looking ahead, Nasa intends to establish nuclear and solar power systems on the Moon, including fission reactors, to support long-term operations. The permanent base is envisioned as a strategic platform for advancing lunar science, exploiting resources, and serving as a stepping stone for crewed missions to Mars, reinforcing the United States’ commitment to maintaining a leading role in space exploration.