🌘 NASA unveils surprising dimensions of its future lunar base

NASA has just unveiled a surprising project: a lunar base covering several hundred square kilometers (over 100 square miles). Located near the south pole of our satellite, this inhabited outpost should see the light of day within about ten years. Its area, much larger than previously imagined, is bound to cause astonishment.

This imposing size was not an initial goal, but it emerged naturally from the diverse needs of such an establishment. Habitats will have to be situated on sunlit hills, while nuclear power systems must be at least one kilometer (0.62 miles) away for radiation protection. Each element, as it is assembled, gives birth to a genuine small extraterrestrial town.


The base will be built in three phases. The first, until 2029, aims to gather detailed information and ensure reliable access to the lunar surface. The second, from 2029 to 2032, will establish initial operational capability. Finally, the third phase, beyond 2032, will enable a semi-permanent crew presence.

To explore the region before construction, MoonFall drones will be deployed. These small hopping robots will launch in 2028 aboard a Firefly Aerospace lander. They will also be able to mark the boundaries of the future base, helping to identify areas of scientific interest and infrastructure locations.

Artemis astronauts will use large rovers called LTVs, produced by Astrolab and Lunar Outpost. These vehicles can operate autonomously, land before crewed missions, and rendezvous with crews at their landing site. The goal is to have at least one LTV at the south pole before the arrival of Artemis 4 in late 2028.


Meanwhile, China is also planning a lunar base. US officials emphasize the importance of arriving first to establish "norms of responsible behavior." NASA Director Jared Isaacman highlighted the need to explore first while respecting the Outer Space Treaty, hoping for reciprocity.

Recent NASA contracts include $75 million for Firefly, $219 million for Astrolab, and $220 million for Lunar Outpost. Blue Origin will receive $234 million to deliver rovers via its Blue Moon lander. The Artemis 3 mission, an orbital docking test, is scheduled for mid-2027, marking a key step toward this lunar outpost.

Water ice at the Moon's south pole

The lunar south pole holds immense reserves of water ice, trapped for billions of years in perpetually shadowed craters. This resource is invaluable for a permanent base: it can provide drinking water, breathable oxygen, and hydrogen for rocket fuel. Its exploitation would significantly reduce transportation costs from Earth.

Scientists estimate that the amount of ice could reach several billion tons. However, its exact distribution remains uncertain, hence the importance of reconnaissance missions like the MoonFall drones. Extracting and processing this ice on-site is a major technological challenge, but the potential benefits for future lunar exploration are enormous.

The presence of water would not only sustain life but also produce fuel for more distant missions, such as to Mars. The lunar base would thus serve as an interplanetary gas station, making exploration of the solar system more economical.