![\"Concept](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/concept-for-sustained-lunar-surface-operations-at-the-moon-base-credit-nasa-scaled.jpg\")
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Concept for sustained lunar surface operations at the Moon Base. Credit: NASA<\/a><\/p>\n NASA has unveiled plans for three uncrewed Moon missions<\/a> designed to build the foundation for a permanent human outpost at the lunar South Pole.<\/p>\n The agency made the announcement<\/a> Tuesday at its headquarters in Washington, alongside new rover contracts and cargo lander updates ahead of crewed Artemis landings planned for 2028.<\/p>\n The three missions are part of NASA\u2019s broader Moon Base initiative. Each mission will test key systems and deliver scientific instruments to the lunar surface before astronauts arrive.<\/p>\n The first, Moon Base I, targets a launch no earlier than fall 2026. It will use Blue Origin\u2019s \u2018Blue Moon Mark 1 Endurance\u2019 lander to carry two instruments to the Moon. The Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume-Surface Studies will examine how thrusters interact with the lunar surface.<\/p>\n The Laser Retroreflective Array will help orbiting spacecraft determine more precise locations. The mission will land on the Shackleton Connecting Ridge to demonstrate capabilities needed for future crewed landings.<\/p>\n NASA\u2019s 3 uncrewed Moon missions set for launch this year<\/p>\n Moon Base II is planned for later this year. The mission will rely on Astrobotic\u2019s Griffin lander to deliver more than 1,100 pounds of cargo, including Astrolab\u2019s FLIP rover. Its main goal is to advance mobility systems that will shape future lunar terrain vehicle operations.<\/p>\n From left to right, models of the Blue Origin Mark 1 Lunar Lander, Astrolab Crewed Lunar Rover, Lunar Outpost Pegasus rover, and the Firely Elytra Dark orbiter. Credit: NASA \/ Aubrey Gemignani<\/a><\/p>\n Moon Base III is also targeted for this year. It will carry the first payload selected through NASA\u2019s Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon program.<\/p>\n The anchor investigation, Lunar Vertex, will fly on Intuitive Machines\u2019 Nova-C Trinity lander to study lunar swirls, which are light-colored patches on the Moon\u2019s surface<\/a>, to better understand surface conditions.<\/p>\n The mission also includes payloads from the European Space Agency and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute.<\/p>\n NASA commits $627 million to rovers and cargo landers<\/p>\n![\"From](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/models-of-lunar-lander-lunar-rover-pegasus-rover-and-dark-orbiter-credit-nasa-aubrey-gemignani-scale.jpeg\"\/)
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