NASA Plans Moon Base With Rovers and Landers
NASA has announced contracts to build a permanent base on the Moon. The plan includes rovers for crew to drive and cargo landers.
Company Blue Origin was chosen to play a major role. Blue Origin will provide its Blue Moon lander for the Moon Base mission.
The planned launch is no earlier than fall 2026. The landing site is near the lunar South Pole.
NASA also awarded contracts for crewed rovers. Company Astrolab received $219 million for the first phase.
Company Lunar Outpost received $220 million for the same phase. Blue Origin received $188 million to deliver rovers to the South Pole region.
NASA plans three uncrewed missions to the Moon this year. These missions will prepare the ground for the permanent base.
NASA also plans to send hopping drones and roving vehicles. New contracts were awarded for uncrewed cargo landers too. NASA shared launch timelines for the first Moon Base missions.
Key Terms 4
- Blue Origin A private space company that builds rockets and landers
- uncrewed A mission with no people on board
- cargo lander A spacecraft that delivers supplies to the Moon's surface
- lunar South Pole The bottom tip of the Moon, a target for future bases