NASA released this rendering of a moon base that will be built over the next decade.
Credit: NASA
NASA released this rendering of a moon base that will be built over the next decade.
Credit: NASA
García-Galán explained that the lunar base will be established through three phases, primarily through a large-scale commercial lunar payload services program using a mix of providers. Each of these three phases will cost approximately $10 billion.
The first of these, scheduled to last until 2028, is projected to involve 21 landings placing a total of 4 metric tons of payload on the Moon, including the VIPER rover to prospect for lunar resources; four “Moon Fall” drones that can travel up to 50 km and reach areas difficult for humans to reach; Early versions of the Lunar Terrain Vehicle were able to survive for 150 hours without sunlight; and radioisotope heater units. During this phase NASA will also attempt to establish two lunar orbiting communications satellite constellations.
As part of the second phase, running from 2029 to 2032, NASA will try to secure a site for a lunar base. This phase is expected to have 27 landings with a total mass of 60 metric tons. These landed payloads will include large, pressurized rovers, solar and nuclear power sources for surface activities, towers for communications, and exploration rovers.
The final phase, from 2032 to 2036, will establish habitat for long-term human presence, supporting four astronauts for four-week missions. Over the course of 28 landings, NASA will try to place 150 metric tons of payload on the surface, including fission power, multiple rovers, an “industrial neighborhood” to support in-situ manufacturing and the ability to return hundreds of kilograms of scientific experiments, critical hardware and lunar materials back to Earth.
provide focus
The Moon base will be NASA’s main exploration focus going forward. García-Galán said part of his job will be to bring together the various efforts at NASA already focused on or near the Moon and make it clear to everyone that the work they are doing should lean toward supporting the Moon base.
That’s why the Commercial Lunar Payload Service program will be expanded to accommodate the growing need for frequent access to the Moon with larger cargo. That’s why Gateway had to go. That’s why NASA will develop not one, but two networks of communications satellites.
With the ignition event on Tuesday, Isaacman brought this much-needed focus to the space agency. Journalists have long joked that NASA stood for “Never a Straight Answer” because it was never clear at all where NASA was going, or why it was doing the things it was doing. Now people like Garcia-Galan have a clear plan to go in and execute.
“It’s very clear that we need to focus on one thing, not 10 things,” he said. “So for me, this is a game-changer. It’s pretty incredible.”
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