The NASA has revealed an ambitious plan that includes a $20 billion investment to construct a permanent base on the Moon, aiming to return with astronauts by 2028. Jared Isaacman, the agency’s administrator, emphasized that “the goal is to stay there,” marking a shift towards sustained operations on the natural satellite under the Artemis program.
As part of this reconfiguration, the construction of the Gateway station has been suspended. The new plan includes an increase in the frequency of crewed missions, starting with regular lunar landings from 2029. The strategy is divided into three phases: robotic exploration, infrastructure development, and permanent human settlement.
Isaacman highlighted the importance of creating an “evolutionary pathway” towards a stable presence on the Moon, supported by international collaboration and the private sector. Additionally, this lunar program is envisioned as a platform for future missions to Mars, using the Moon as a scientific laboratory.
The decision to prioritize construction on the lunar surface over Gateway responds to the need to optimize resources and accelerate results in a scenario where leadership in the space race is increasingly competitive, particularly with China.
