Artist impression of the NASA Moon Base and vehicles. (NASA via SWNS)
NASA has unveiled its plans for a $20 billion permanent base on the moon — and work will start later this year.
Described as "one of the most ambitious engineering and exploration efforts in human history," it will include rovers and landers at the lunar south pole.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman provides remarks during a news conference to discuss Moon Base, a long-term lunar exploration and infrastructure initiative designed to enable sustained human presence and expanded scientific and commercial activity at the lunar South Pole. (Aubrey Gemignani / NASA via SWNS)
During a moon base event at its headquarters in Washington on Tuesday (May 26), the agency said it had awarded new contracts for lunar rovers for crew to drive and uncrewed cargo landers to deliver equipment to the surface.
NASA said the moon base is "a central component of NASA's Artemis program" and is designed to establish the first sustained presence on the moon.
Artist impression of the NASA Moon Base and vehicles. (NASA via SWNS)
The agency also announced three initial Moon Base missions, including one targeted for launch no earlier than fall 2026, with further launches to follow through 2027 and beyond.
NASA said the program will support future crewed Artemis landings and help establish the infrastructure needed for longer-term operations on the lunar surface.
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