NASA reveals ambitious plan for permanent lunar base

The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has unveiled an ambitious plan to construct a permanent lunar base at the Moon's south pole. This initiative follows the successful Artemis II mission, which completed a crewed journey around Earth's natural satellite.

NASA's new project aims to create a stable human and scientific presence beyond Earth. "The United States is returning to the moon, and this time to stay," stated NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. The base is envisioned to span hundreds of square miles, utilizing valuable lunar resources to support the long-term goal of a permanent lunar presence and facilitate future missions to Mars.

To achieve this, NASA will deploy "MoonFall" drones, described as "jumping drones," to map the lunar terrain and define the base's perimeters before deploying habitable modules. The first of these devices are scheduled for launch in 2028 aboard a Firefly Aerospace lander.

This endeavor places the United States in direct competition with China, which has also announced plans for its own lunar base, with a projected first landing in 2030. "I think it's important that we get there first," Isaacman commented, emphasizing that the initial operator of a lunar base could set the rules for coexistence and exploration on the Moon.