WASHINGTON DC: NASA has announced new details of its long-term plan to establish a permanent base on the Moon, including robotic landers, hopping drones, and surface vehicles designed to support future human missions.
The US space agency said several private firms, including Blue Origin founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, have been selected to develop the systems needed for lunar exploration, BBC reported.
The United States aims to return astronauts to the Moon before President Donald Trump’s current term ends in 2029, as it competes with China in what is increasingly seen as a renewed space race. China, meanwhile, is targeting a crewed Moon landing by 2030 and continues to advance its own space programme, including recent missions to its Tiangong space station.
In March, NASA unveiled a $20 billion initiative to build a permanent lunar base at the Moon’s south pole by 2032, powered by both nuclear and solar energy. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the latest plans reflect a commitment that the US will “never give up the Moon again.”
The proposed base is expected to support scientific research, potential resource extraction, and serve as a stepping stone for future missions to Mars. However, many experts consider the timeline ambitious, with some suggesting China could reach the Moon’s surface with astronauts first, according to BBC.
NASA’s programme, known as Ignition Moon Base, will be implemented in three stages. The initial phase involves sending robotic landers and hopping drones to map and study the Moon’s difficult terrain before human arrival. The agency also plans to deploy surface vehicles capable of transporting astronauts and carrying scientific and communication equipment.
NASA has awarded contracts to companies including Blue Origin, Intuitive Machines, and Astrobotic to develop key components of the mission.
(Inputs from BBC)
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