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NASA's Moon Base Plans Include Landers, Buggies and Drones for 2028 Mission
Updated on: May 26, 2026 / 9:10 PM EDT / CBS/AP
TL;DR
- NASA is ordering landers, rovers, and drones for a moon base, with hardware expected before the first astronaut landing in 2028.
- Contracts have been awarded to Blue Origin, Astrolab, Lunar Outpost, and Firefly Aerospace for various components.
- The Artemis program's timeline targets Artemis III for mid-2027, with a landing by two astronauts as early as 2028.
- The moon base development is planned in phases, aiming for permanent infrastructure by the early 2030s and extended astronaut support in specialized habitats during the 2030s.
- The ultimate goal is a permanent presence on the moon to encourage a lunar economy, conduct scientific research, and prepare for Mars expeditions.
- NASA's return-to-the-moon plans are estimated to cost about $107 billion through 2026, with approximately $20 billion dedicated to the moon base mission over the next seven years.