Nasa unveils next steps to build permanent Moon base.

2026, May 26

United States

NASA has just laid out a much more concrete roadmap for a permanent Moon base, tying together its Artemis program, new commercial contracts, and a phased construction timeline aimed at the late 2020s and early 2030s.

Here’s the clean breakdown of what they’re now planning:

🚀 The big idea

NASA is shifting from “going to the Moon” → to staying on the Moon permanently, focusing on the lunar south pole, where there’s likely water ice and near-continuous sunlight.

The new 3-phase plan

Phase 1 (2026–2028): Setup & testing

Multiple robotic missions deliver equipment and scouting systems

Commercial partners like Blue Origin, Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines handle landers, rovers, and drones

Goal: map terrain, test landing sites, and start basic infrastructure prep

Phase 2 (2028–2032): Building the base

Early habitats and infrastructure begin construction

Deployment of:

Power systems (solar arrays and potentially nuclear power)

Lunar rovers and logistics vehicles

Communications networks First astronauts expected to start working on the surface in this period

Phase 3 (2032+): Permanent presence

Transition to a continuous human presence

Expansion into a more permanent “lunar settlement” style outpost

Base could grow into a wider operational zone supporting science and Mars preparation

Key mission updates

Artemis program is now the backbone of the plan

Crewed lunar landings targeted for around 2028 (Artemis IV era)

NASA has also paused the Lunar Gateway space station to focus resources on the surface base