NASA announced on Tuesday plans for three uncrewed lunar missions this year to begin building a $20 billion moon base. The agency selected Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, over SpaceX to carry out the first flight. Administrator Jared Isaacman revealed details at a Washington press conference, outlining how the base will be constructed. The three 2026 missions will be followed by more than a dozen additional flights to test equipment and systems. Isaacman noted that the recent Artemis II flight, which sent astronauts around the moon, had spurred progress on the base. He described an incremental strategy of sending landers, rovers, and technology demonstrations rather than attempting a full base immediately. Blue Origin received $230.4 million for each of its first two missions but will cover most costs itself. The initial lander, Endurance, will deliver NASA and commercial payloads to the Shackleton de Gerlache Ridge near the lunar south pole. NASA will compare Blue Origin’s lander with SpaceX’s Starship during next year’s Artemis III test before selecting a crewed system. Additional contracts went to Lunar Outpost for rovers and Firefly Aerospace for lander work. A new NASA website outlines a timeline for a base with operating capability between 2029 and 2032. The project aligns with national space goals to establish a lasting lunar presence ahead of other nations.
