Dhaka: NASA is progressing with its initiative to establish a permanent base near the Moon's South Pole, with over 20 robotic landing missions anticipated through 2029. These missions aim to deliver equipment, conduct scientific research, and test technologies essential for future human operations.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the proposed lunar base is set to facilitate scientific research, technology development, and potentially human activities on the Moon. NASA has joined forces with commercial partners such as Blue Origin, Firefly Aerospace, Intuitive Machines, and Voyager Technologies, who are developing landers for missions scheduled through 2028. These spacecraft are expected to transport infrastructure, scientific instruments, and other necessary equipment to build a sustainable presence on the lunar surface.
The missions form part of the initial phase of NASA's Moon Base architecture, which is currently in progress and will continue through 2029. Prior to the arrival of astronauts, robotic spacecraft will explore the lunar environment, test new technologies, and begin establishing the infrastructure needed for future human missions. NASA anticipates its Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program to provide consistent cargo deliveries, thereby creating a reliable supply chain between Earth and the Moon.
Blue Origin is preparing the Blue Moon MK1 lander for its initial lunar mission, Endurance. The lander has undergone multiple environmental tests, including a thermal vacuum test at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, to ensure its operational capability in Moon-like conditions. The lander's structure, propulsion systems, and avionics are assembled, with further integration work and testing underway. The mission aims to showcase precise landing capabilities, gather lunar environment data, and test autonomous systems for future Moon Base missions.
Firefly Aerospace is advancing its Blue Ghost Mission 2, following the success of its first lunar landing. This mission involves a larger spacecraft designed for operations on the Moon's far side. Blue Ghost will be attached to Firefly's Elytra orbital spacecraft, forming a system approximately 22 feet tall. The mission is planned to be the first U.S. landing on the Moon's far side, carrying three NASA payloads to aid scientific research and test technologies for future lunar infrastructure.
Intuitive Machines is readying its third Nova-C lunar landing mission, IM-3, which will also deploy the company's inaugural lunar data relay satellite, Altus-1. The Nova-C lander, named Trinity, is undergoing assembly and testing. IM-3 will place Altus-1 into lunar orbit and transport multiple NASA, commercial, and civil payloads to the surface. The mission will explore Reiner Gamma, an unusual magnetic feature on the Moon, providing insights into this mysterious region.
Voyager Technologies is testing its Griffin-1 lander at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, preparing for a lunar mission scheduled for late 2026. Griffin-1 is designed to transport large infrastructure-related payloads. The lander will deliver the largest commercial payload ever placed on the lunar surface, supporting NASA's efforts in testing lunar mobility and new technologies.
Northrop Grumman is also collaborating with NASA on technology demonstrations for the lunar surface. These projects will test systems designed to withstand the Moon's harsh environment, including its extremely cold nights and extended periods of darkness. The demonstrations aim to evaluate power and avionics systems that could support future lunar operations.
Through these robotic missions, commercial deliveries, and technology demonstrations, NASA aims to gradually establish the infrastructure necessary for a long-term presence on the Moon. The agency hopes this endeavor will support ongoing scientific research and technology development, paving the way for sustained human activity on the lunar surface alongside robotic operations.