NASA unveils $20 billion plan for permanent Moon base

NASA has unveiled a $20 billion initiative to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon, centered near the lunar south pole. The Moon Base program will be executed in three distinct phases beginning with robotic exploration through 2029 to identify construction sites and test technologies.

The second phase, running from 2029 to 2032, will focus on establishing power systems, cargo transport, and communication tools. During this stage, international partners like Japan’s JAXA will contribute, including the development of a pressurized rover for surface travel. The final phase, starting in 2032, aims to create a permanent outpost with expanded living quarters and infrastructure.

To support these long-term operations, NASA is accelerating plans for Lunar Reactor-1 (LR-1), a compact fission power system intended for deployment by December 2030. The reactor is designed to provide 20 kilowatts of continuous electricity for at least five years, overcoming the limitations of solar power in the Moon’s dark regions. This move is seen as a strategic effort to establish lunar infrastructure ahead of competing nuclear projects from Russia and China.