NASA seeks technology proposals for future lunar base

NASA has issued a call for proposals through its NextSTEP-3 program to accelerate the development of critical technologies required for a long-term human presence at the Moon’s South Pole. The initiative, known as the Lunar Enabling Infrastructure Accelerator (LEIA), seeks to close capability gaps in five priority areas: vertical solar array technology for consistent power, in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) to extract oxygen from lunar regolith, radioisotope Stirling generators for nuclear power in remote areas, advanced in-space manufacturing, and the production of innovative nanomaterials.

Greg Stover, director of NASA’s Advanced Research and Technology Division, stated that partnering with industry will strengthen the U.S. industrial base as the agency matures the infrastructure needed for a sustainable lunar presence. The program encourages competition among private companies, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations.

In a related effort to build the future workforce for these missions, NASA officials, including Administrator Jared Isaacman, recently visited Iowa State University. They presented the three phases of moon base development to students, highlighting the university’s role in active NASA-funded projects and encouraging the next generation to participate in the upcoming mission to establish a permanent lunar base by 2032.