MOON — NASA announced a $20 billion program in March to construct a permanent lunar base at the Moon's south pole by 2032, powered by nuclear and solar energy. The agency detailed plans for robotic precursors, surface vehicles, and partnerships with private companies to support long-term human habitation.

The Ignition Moon Base programme consists of three phases, beginning with robotic exploration through 2029. NASA plans 25 launches to deliver 4 metric tonnes of cargo, including robotic landers, hopping drones, and scientific instruments such as high-resolution cameras and laser-based landing tools. Carlos García-Galán, Moon Base programme executive, provided details about this robotic phase, which aims to map terrain and prepare infrastructure before human arrival.

NASA has awarded contracts to Blue Origin, Intuitive Machines, and Astrobotic to build hardware for the base. Blue Origin’s Endurance lunar lander is expected to perform precise, autonomous landings, while Astrobotic’s Griffin-1 lander will target Nobile Crater near the Moon’s south pole. SpaceX is contracted to develop the Starship Human Landing System for crewed missions, though the vehicle has faced numerous setbacks and delays.

By 2032, NASA aims to establish “semi-permanent” housing for astronauts, supported by rovers for long-distance travel and delivery vehicles carrying communications and scientific payloads. The agency has published artist renderings of the base, which would include power systems, habitats, and mobility assets. Frozen water at the lunar south pole could supply drinking water and oxygen production, making the site strategically valuable.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said, “Never give up the Moon again.” He emphasized the base’s role in enabling scientific experiments, resource mining, and eventual Mars missions.

However, some experts question the feasibility of NASA’s timeline. Dr. Simeon Barber, Lunar Scientist at Open University, said, “The limiting step is getting the astronauts down onto the surface.” He added, “It would not surprise me at all if China gets there first,” citing NASA’s difficulties in securing a human-rated lander. China plans to land humans on the Moon by 2030. Barber also said, “It sounds to me like [NASA] feel they’re in a position where they have to start saying they’ve got plans. So I think there’s a lot of political drive behind this.”