The NASA has unveiled an ambitious plan to establish a permanent lunar base within seven years, as announced by the agency’s administrator, Jared Isaacman. This project will commence with a crewed moon landing in 2028, marking the first time such a mission has taken place in half a century.
During a press conference, Isaacman detailed that the lunar deployment strategy will be carried out in three phases. The minimum estimated investment for this ambitious program is $20 billion. As part of this approach, NASA will pause the Gateway project, which envisioned the construction of a space station in lunar orbit.
The plan includes the construction of three permanent habitats on the Moon, several rovers manufactured by Toyota, and a nuclear fission reactor. Additionally, facilities will be established to process lunar resources, with the goal of sustaining a permanent colony.
The success of this strategy depends on the fulfillment of the Artemis II mission, which will send four astronauts to lunar orbit next week. This initiative is crucial for NASA to conduct a moon landing every six months, ensuring that “the United States will never leave the Moon again,” Isaacman stated.
In the context of increasing space competition, China has intensified its efforts on the Moon, planning to send taikonauts to the satellite before 2030. This context highlights the urgency of NASA’s strategy, which aims to reaffirm its leadership in space exploration.
