NASA has awarded nearly $600 million in new contracts to accelerate development of what officials say could become humanity’s first permanent outpost on another world. The contracts — awarded to Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines — will fund four robotic missions to the moon that could start to launch before the end of the year, with a majority taking place in 2028.
Lunar Exploration
The robotic landers will gather critical data needed to support future human exploration. NASA officials said the missions will study lunar dust generated during landings, measure radiation levels, and establish permanent navigation markers on the lunar surface.
Carlos Garcia-Galan, Moon Base executive, said robotic missions are essential because scientists still have much to learn about the lunar south pole before sending astronauts there. NASA also announced it is reviewing plans for PROMISE, a nuclear-powered rover designed to operate during the moon’s frigid lunar night and inside permanently shadowed craters where scientists believe water ice may exist.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
