NASA is preparing a series of more than 20 robotic missions to the Moon’s South Pole over the next three years as it works to build the foundation for a long-term lunar base.
The missions, planned through 2029, will deliver equipment, carry out scientific studies and test technologies that could later support astronauts living and working on the Moon.
NASA is working with commercial companies including Blue Origin, Firefly Aerospace, Intuitive Machines and Voyager Technologies.
Their landers are being developed to transport scientific instruments, infrastructure and other equipment to the lunar surface and into orbit.
The missions form the first stage of NASA’s Moon Base plan, which is already underway.
The agency wants robotic spacecraft to study the lunar environment and begin setting up essential systems before sending astronauts.
NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services programme is expected to provide regular deliveries from Earth, creating a more reliable supply route for future lunar operations.
Blue Origin is preparing its Blue Moon MK1 lander, Endurance, for its first lunar mission.
The spacecraft has completed environmental and communication tests and is undergoing further integration work.
Its mission will include testing landing systems, studying the lunar environment and demonstrating autonomous technology.
Firefly Aerospace is developing Blue Ghost Mission 2, which is expected to attempt the first US landing on the far side of the Moon.
The mission will use the company`s Elytra orbital spacecraft and carry three NASA payloads.
Researchers hope the mission will provide new information about the Moon`s geology and the early universe.
Intuitive Machines is preparing its third Nova-C mission, IM-3. Its Trinity lander will carry NASA, commercial and civil payloads and deploy the company’s Altus-1 data relay satellite into lunar orbit.
The mission will also investigate Reiner Gamma, a distinctive magnetic feature on the Moon.
It is expected to be the first mission to study a lunar swirl directly from the surface.
Voyager Technologies is testing its Griffin-1 lander for a planned late-2026 launch.
The spacecraft is designed to carry a large infrastructure payload to the Moon and will transport an Astrolab FLIP rover equipped with five NASA payloads.
The rover will be used to test lunar mobility and other technologies needed for longer operations on the surface. Griffin-1 is undergoing testing at NASA`s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California before final assembly and launch preparations.
NASA is also working with Northrop Grumman on three technology demonstrations for the lunar surface.
The projects will test power and avionics systems adapted from technology developed for NASA`s Gateway programme.
Some of the tests will focus on whether the systems can survive the Moon`s extreme conditions, including the long, cold lunar night.
NASA and Northrop Grumman will also examine shared power systems that could supply electricity to scientific equipment and future Moon Base facilities.
Together, the missions are designed to gradually establish the equipment, technology and supply systems needed for a lasting human presence on the Moon.
NASA`s goal is to use the robotic missions to prepare the lunar surface for future astronauts while continuing scientific research and technology development.
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