NASA is taking steps to build a $30 billion moon base, with plans to deliver landers, rovers, and other assets to the lunar surface. The space agency has awarded contracts to three companies – Astrobotic, Firefly, and Intuitive Machines – for four missions to deliver science instruments and cargo to the moon.
Phased Approach
NASA’s plan to build the moon base is divided into three phases. The first phase, which is expected to last through 2028 and cost about $10 billion, will focus on delivering robotic vehicles to the lunar surface to build infrastructure for future human explorers.
The agency has already announced other deals under the first phase of the program, including plans to rename three previously contracted missions as ‘Moon Base’ specific. Additional contracts were awarded in May for building buggies to drive on the lunar surface and deploying drones to help map a moon base location.
Phases 2 and 3 will involve building pressurized habitats on the moon and installing power generators, with the goal of establishing ‘semi-permanent’ settlements. NASA hopes that astronauts will eventually live and work on the moon, competing with China’s space program.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
