NASA lays out moon base plans with landers, buggies and drones at top of the list

NASA is officially moving forward with its ambitious vision for a permanent lunar presence. Just weeks after the historic Artemis II lunar flyaround, the space agency has announced the first phase of its moon base initiative, securing major contracts with private industry to supply essential technology.

Building the Lunar Infrastructure

To establish a footprint on the lunar surface, NASA has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars to four U.S. companies. The initial phase of the plan focuses on logistics and mobility, with Blue Origin tapped to provide landers capable of delivering moon buggies—known as lunar terrain vehicles—to the moon’s south pole. These vehicles, developed by Astrolab and Lunar Outpost, will be joined by Firefly Aerospace, which is tasked with delivering the first fleet of lunar drones.

The goal is to have this hardware pre-positioned on the surface ahead of the first crewed Artemis landings, currently slated for as early as 2028.

The Road to the Moon

The momentum follows the success of April’s Artemis II mission, where astronauts traveled further into deep space than any crew from the Apollo era. Preparations are now shifting toward Artemis III, scheduled for 2027, which will feature critical testing of the Orion capsule in Earth's orbit alongside landers from Blue Origin and SpaceX.

Following the 2028 landing, NASA plans to enter a second phase by 2029, focusing on permanent infrastructure like power grids. By the 2030s, the mission aims to support long-term stays in specialized habitats.

A Permanent Presence

"Then we’ll be able to say, ‘Hey, we’re permanently here and we’re not giving it up,’” said Carlos Garcia-Galan, NASA’s moon base program executive. The current vision includes a sprawling base covering hundreds of square miles, utilizing "MoonFall" drones to define the site's perimeter.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized that while these markers serve as territorial guidance, the mission remains committed to international cooperation. The ultimate vision is a robust lunar economy that supports scientific research and serves as a launching point for future expeditions to Mars.

“For those waiting patiently, the grand return is close at hand and we will not slow down,” Isaacman said. “We are really just getting started.”