NASA pivots from orbital gateway to a surface-based Moon base
TL;DR
NASA announced a shift to a surface-focused Moon base built in three phases by 2036, scrapping the Lunar Gateway in favor of direct surface infrastructure. The plan relies on expanded Commercial Lunar Payload Services, two lunar communications satellite networks, and a mix of nuclear and solar power, rovers, and habitats to enable long-term presence and in-situ manufacturing. Each phase is projected at about $10 billion, with milestones including 21 landings by 2028, 27 landings in 2029–2032, and 28 landings in 2032–2036, culminating in habitats for four astronauts and a robust lunar industrial ecosystem.
Topics:sciencetechnology#commercial-lunar-payload-services#lunar-gateway#moon-base#nasa#space-exploration#technology
- NASA kills lunar space station to focus on ambitious Moon base Ars Technica
- NASA to spend $20 billion on moon base, cancel orbiting lunar space station Reuters
- NASA Unveils Initiatives to Achieve America’s National Space Policy NASA (.gov)
- NASA Adds Moon Base and Nuclear-Powered Mars Spacecraft to Road Map The New York Times
- NASA announcing update to Artemis moon plans today: Watch it live Space
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