NASA has taken another major step toward returning humans to the Moon, announcing the first phase of a long-term project aimed at building a permanent lunar base near the Moon’s south pole.
The US space agency on Tuesday confirmed new contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars for the development of lunar transport and support systems.
The programme includes landers, rovers and drones that will help prepare the Moon for future astronaut missions.
Under the plan, Blue Origin will develop two lunar landers capable of transporting cargo and equipment to the Moon’s surface.
The vehicles are expected to carry lunar rovers being built by Astrolab and Lunar Outpost.
Meanwhile, Firefly Aerospace will provide drones designed to support operations and exploration activities on the lunar surface.
NASA officials said the equipment could arrive on the Moon before astronauts return there later this decade. Crewed missions linked to the Artemis programme are currently being prepared for the late 2020s.
The announcement comes shortly after the success of Artemis II, which carried astronauts around the Moon earlier this year.
NASA plans to follow that mission with Artemis III in 2027, focusing on testing key systems needed for future lunar landings.
The space agency is aiming to land humans on the Moon again by 2028.
After that, NASA hopes to gradually expand its lunar operations throughout the 2030s by adding power systems, scientific infrastructure and eventually permanent living quarters for astronauts.
Officials say the long-term objective is to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon that can support research and future deep-space missions.
Carlos Garcia-Galan, a senior official involved in the project, said the future Moon base could eventually stretch across hundreds of square miles. Drones placed at different locations would help monitor activities and support communications across the area.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the programme is also being designed with international cooperation in mind.
He noted that NASA expects mutual respect among countries operating missions or equipment on the Moon.
According to NASA, the lunar base project is expected to support scientific discoveries, help build a future lunar economy and contribute to preparations for eventual human missions to Mars.
“The journey is just beginning, and we are not slowing down,” Isaacman said.
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