landing astronauts near the Moon’s south polebuilding systems that allow humans to live and work there for extended periodsextracting resources such as water icepreparing technologies and crews for eventual missions to Mars.<\/p>\n
The first major milestone came in 2022 when the uncrewed Orion spacecraft orbited the Moon during the Artemis I test mission.<\/p>\n
During April’s Artemis II mission, four astronauts flew around the Moon<\/a>, travelling deeper into space than ever before and witnessing its far side for the first time.<\/p>\n NASA is currently targeting 2027 for Artemis III, which is expected to carry astronauts to the lunar surface using a version of Starship developed by SpaceX.<\/p>\n The plans come amid growing global competition in space, with China also pursuing its own lunar base project<\/a> in partnership with Russia.<\/p>\n Here’s what we’ve learnt about NASA’s long-term goal of building a permanent presence on the Moon.<\/p>\n What would a permanent Moon base look like? NASA’s Moon base program is expected to unfold in three broad phases. (Supplied: NASA)<\/p>\n NASA is not planning a giant sci-fi-style Moon city, at least not yet.<\/p>\n The current vision involves a series of habitats, power systems, vehicles and laboratories that could support astronauts for weeks or months at a time.<\/p>\n The agency’s proposed lunar infrastructure includes:<\/p>\n Pressurised living quarters where astronauts could sleep, eat, conduct experiments and shelter from radiation, extreme temperatures and small meteoroids.<\/p>\n Vehicles capable of travelling long distances across the Moon’s surface, particularly around the rugged south polar region.<\/p>\n Rocket-propelled drones designed to leap across the lunar surface and explore difficult terrain, including deep shadowed craters that traditional rovers may struggle to access.<\/p>\n Because parts of the lunar south pole receive near-continuous sunlight, NASA hopes solar panels could provide relatively stable energy. The agency later plans to build fission reactors for an independent power output.<\/p>\n Scientists want to mine water ice trapped inside permanently shadowed craters. Water could potentially be converted into drinking supplies, breathable oxygen and rocket fuel.<\/p>\n NASA officials say future lunar infrastructure could eventually span several kilometres around the south polar region.<\/p>\n Program executive Carlos Garcia-Galan said the perimeter would be monitored by drones stationed at various points around the base.<\/p>\n These territory markers would be designed to avoid interference with spacecraft and equipment belonging to other countries operating nearby, Mr Isaacman added.<\/p>\n How soon will it be set up?<\/p>\n NASA’s Moon base program is expected to unfold in three broad phases over the next decade and beyond.<\/p>\n The first phase will focus on landing astronauts and deploying the first robotic systems near the Moon’s south pole.<\/p>\n NASA is targeting Artemis IV for 2027, with astronauts potentially returning to the lunar surface as early as 2028.<\/p>\n NASA sees the Moon as a training ground for human missions to Mars. (Supplied: NASA)<\/p>\n “For those waiting patiently, the grand return is close at hand, and we will not slow down,” Mr Isaacman said.<\/p>\n “We are really just getting started.”<\/p>\n The second phase, running from the late 2020s into the early 2030s, would focus on building up infrastructure, including power systems, transport networks and resource extraction technologies.<\/p>\n The third phase, expected sometime after 2032, would aim to establish longer-duration habitation using more advanced permanent structures.<\/p>\n “Then we’ll be able to say, ‘Hey, we’re permanently here, and we’re not giving it up,'” Mr Garcia-Galan said.<\/p>\n Why the Moon’s south pole?<\/p>\n Most Artemis missions are focused on the Moon’s south pole because scientists believe it contains significant deposits of frozen water<\/a>.<\/p>\n Unlike earlier Apollo missions, which landed near the lunar equator, the south pole offers resources that could make long-term habitation possible.<\/p>\n An artist’s rendering of the lunar south pole region, highlighting shadowed areas that may preserve water ice deposits. (Supplied: NASA)<\/p>\n Some crater floors there have not seen sunlight for billions of years, allowing ice to survive in extremely cold conditions.<\/p>\n NASA views the region as strategically critical because water is key for sustainable space exploration.<\/p>\n Why does NASA want a permanent presence on the Moon?<\/p>\n The goal of the Moon base is to create a sustainable lunar economy while conducting scientific research and preparing for future Mars expeditions, Mr Isaacman said.<\/p>\n Preparing for Mars<\/p>\n NASA sees the Moon as a training ground for human missions to Mars.<\/p>\n Living on the Moon would allow astronauts and engineers to test habitats, life-support systems and survival technologies before attempting far longer journeys into deep space.<\/p>\n Scientific research<\/p>\n The Moon could provide opportunities for astronomy, geology and climate research<\/a> impossible on Earth.<\/p>\n Its far side is particularly attractive for radio telescopes because it is shielded from Earth’s electromagnetic interference.<\/p>\n![\"Artist\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/6ce575945046e2de7b68fc5fc020fc40.jpeg\")
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