NASA charts three-step path to a permanent moon base on the lunar south pole

America's National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has set out a step-by-step strategy for developing a Moon base in the lunar South Pole region, saying the programme will advance through three phases over the next several years.

The agency says the approach is “phased” and "iterative", beginning with near-term technology demonstrations, robotic missions and early experiments designed to test systems before crews are sent to live and work there for longer periods.

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A brisk first sortie

Under Phase One, which runs through 2029, NASA plans a rapid series of robotic missions to scout the South Pole, prepare surface operations and test hardware for future human activity.

The agency says this stage could involve up to 25 missions, including 21 landings, as well as crewed and autonomous rovers, communications relay and observation satellites, and technology demonstrations aimed at surviving the long lunar night.

The first tangible footprint of the effort will include four tonnes of payload delivered to the lunar surface.

Precision before pageantry

A central part of that first phase is Moon Base I, a Blue Origin-led mission using the Blue Moon Mark 1 lander, also known as Endurance.

The mission will land on the Shackleton Connecting Ridge and help reduce risk for future Artemis landings planned for 2028 by testing precision landing, cryogenic propulsion and autonomous guidance systems.

NASA also says the lander is scheduled to carry science and technology payloads, including cameras to study how engine plumes interact with the lunar surface and a laser retroreflective array to improve spacecraft positioning.

Two more dispatches to the moon

NASA’s roadmap also includes Moon Base II and Moon Base III.

Moon Base II is scheduled to carry more than 1,100 pounds of cargo aboard Astrobotic’s Gryphon lander, along with Astrolab’s FLIP rover, to test mobility systems for future lunar terrain vehicles.

Moon Base III will use Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C Trinity lander to deliver the Lunar Vertex investigation to the Moon’s Reiner Gamma swirl, along with payloads from the European Space Agency and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute.

Mobility gets its moment

The agency has also moved to expand surface mobility through new lunar terrain vehicle contracts.

NASA says it has awarded about $219 million to Astrolab and $220 million to Lunar Outpost to build the first phase of the vehicles, with the programme intended to support crewed and uncrewed mobility systems on the lunar surface by 2028.

The first vehicles are being designed for autonomy, teleoperation and crewed operations, while a separate Blue Origin task order worth $188 million, with an option value of more than $280 million, is meant to support rover delivery missions to the Moon’s South Pole.

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The long game

Beyond 2029, NASA says Phase Two will focus on early habitation, expanded power systems, enhanced communications and larger cargo deliveries, while Phase Three, beginning after 2032, aims at a sustained human presence with routine crew rotations, semi-permanent habitats and continuous surface activity.

The plan is intended to build the infrastructure needed for long-duration lunar exploration and future use of lunar resources.