NASA has presented a three-phase strategy to establish a permanent facility on the Moon. The agency also intends to conduct three lunar missions this year to support preparations for ongoing human activity beyond Earth.
Phase one, covering 2026 to 2028, centers on testing equipment and readiness activities. Phase two, from 2029 to 2032, involves constructing lasting infrastructure. Phase three, starting in 2032, aims at maintaining continuous human operations.
During a Tuesday briefing, NASA administrator Jared Isaacman described the $20 billion initiative as the first outpost for America and humanity on another world. The agency will evaluate lunar technologies, surface tools and mobility systems ahead of crewed landings.
Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 1 Endurance lander was chosen for the initial base mission, targeted for no earlier than September. It will carry instruments including stereo cameras to study thruster effects on lunar soil and a laser retroreflective array for improved orbital positioning. The landing site is Shackleton Connecting Ridge, intended to lower risks for later flights.
A prior crewed flight circled the Moon in April. NASA plans to begin building habitats, power units and support facilities for extended stays. A second mission later this year will transport over 1,100 pounds of cargo, including a rover, using Astrobotic’s Griffin lander to advance mobility capabilities.
A third flight scheduled for this year will deliver the Lunar Vertex payload to investigate lunar swirls and magnetic features, along with contributions from European and Korean space agencies. From 2032 onward, the focus shifts to routine crew changes and sustained surface activity. The overall program includes deploying a lunar terrain vehicle ahead of astronaut returns in 2028.
