NASA unveils 3-phase plan for permanent moon base
WASHINGTON, May 27: NASA has announced an ambitious three-phase programme to establish a permanent human base on the moon, following the success of the Artemis-II lunar flyaround mission earlier this year.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman unveiled the USD 20 billion initiative during a press conference on Tuesday, describing the proposed Moon Base as humanity’s first permanent outpost on another celestial body.
NASA aims to land astronauts on the moon again in 2028 under the Artemis-III mission and says the lunar base will help scientists and astronauts develop the skills needed to survive and work in the moon’s harsh environment.
The facility is expected to include lunar rovers, drones and scientific equipment for long-term exploration and experimentation.
As part of the programme, NASA plans to launch three moon missions this year. The first, Moon Base-I, will use Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 1 Endurance lander to deliver scientific instruments to the Shackleton Connecting Ridge near the moon’s south pole. The mission will study how rocket thrusters interact with the lunar surface and test navigation technologies that will support future crewed landings.
The second mission, Moon Base-II, will carry more than 1,100 pounds of cargo aboard Astrobotic’s Griffin lander. The payload includes Astrolab’s FLIP rover, designed to test mobility systems that could be used in future lunar terrain vehicles for astronauts.
Moon Base-III, also scheduled for this year, will transport NASA’s Lunar Vertex science mission to investigate mysterious lunar swirls — bright markings on the moon believed to be linked to underground magnetic fields. The mission will also include payloads from the European Space Agency and the Korean Space Agency.
Under NASA’s roadmap, the first phase through 2028 will focus on testing technologies and preparing for sustained surface operations.
The second phase, from 2029 to 2032, will involve constructing permanent infrastructure such as a power grid. The third phase, beginning in 2032, aims to establish a continuous human presence on the moon with routine crew rotations and ongoing scientific activity.
NASA officials said the long-term goal is to ensure humanity maintains a permanent foothold on the moon for exploration and future deep-space missions. (AP)
