NASA is embarking on one of the most ambitious space endeavors in history: building the Moon Base near the lunar South Pole. This initiative will secure American leadership in space, unlock groundbreaking scientific discoveries, and forge the technologies and operational experience needed to send humans to Mars. Built with the strength of industry innovators and the collaboration of international partners, NASA’s Moon Base initiative will establish humanity’s first sustained presence on the Moon while driving innovation, inspiring future generations, and helping fuel an emerging lunar economy. 

NASA plans to establish the Moon Base near the lunar South Pole, one of the most strategically and scientifically valuable regions on the Moon.

The lunar South Pole region offers unique environmental conditions that make it well suited for long-term human exploration. Unlike many regions of the Moon that experience long periods of darkness followed by long periods of daylight, parts of the South Pole receive extended sunlight and shorter periods of shadow. These lighting conditions can support more consistent solar power generation and improved thermal stability for exploration systems and surface operations. At the same time, permanently shadowed regions remain in continuous darkness, creating extremely cold environments where water ice and other volatiles may be preserved.

These ice deposits may contain a record of how water and other materials moved through the solar system over time. Studying samples from these deposits could help scientists better understand the history of the Moon, Earth, and the processes that shaped conditions for life. The identification and analysis of these volatiles may also help support a more sustained human presence on the Moon by informing how local resources could one day be utilized for exploration activities.

The South Pole region is also scientifically significant because it lies near some of the oldest terrain on the Moon, including the South Pole–Aitken Basin, the largest and oldest known impact basin in the solar system. Samples collected from this region could provide insight into the early history of the Moon, the Earth-Moon system, and the broader evolution of the solar system.

NASA will establish the Moon Base in the lunar South Pole region through a phased, iterative approach that builds capability over time. By starting with near-term technology demonstrations, robotic missions, and early experiments, NASA and its partners can test systems, learn quickly, and steadily mature the capabilities required for continuous human presence on the Moon. 

Phase One (Now–2029): Experiment and Learn 

NASA will begin with a rapid series of robotic missions to scout the lunar South Pole region, test technologies, and prepare for surface operations ahead of future astronaut missions. 

• A major increase in lunar activity, with up to 25 missions, including 21 landings.  

• Crewed and autonomous rovers for mobility demonstrations and surface preparation, along with four drones known as MoonFall and communications relay and observation satellites.  

• Early demonstrations of power, navigation, communications, and nuclear radioisotope heater unit technologies designed to endure the long lunar night.  

• Scientific payload opportunities integrated across landers and rovers.  

• The first tangible footprint of Moon Base effort, with four tons of payload delivered to test what works on the lunar surface. 

Phase Two (2029–2032): Early Habitation 

By 2029, NASA will transition to assembling semi-permanent infrastructure and initiating early habitation and logistics operations. 

• Deployment of expanded solar power systems and initial nuclear surface power capabilities, potentially including fission reactors and radioisotope power systems. 

• Upgraded rovers, potential advanced MoonFall drones, and early habitation elements. 

• Enhanced surface-to-orbit communications networks to provide reliable connectivity across the lunar South Pole region. 

• Delivery of up to 60 tons of cargo through as many as 24 landings using low-, medium-, and heavy-class cargo landers. 

Phase Three (2032 and Beyond): Sustained Human Presence 

This phase will scale operations to achieve a true enduring presence, with routine crew rotations and continuous surface activity. This is when living and working on the Moon becomes a reality. 

• Semi-permanent habitation modules with spacious interior for crew living and operations. 

• Operational fission surface power systems capable of delivering steady, reliable energy through the long lunar nights, leveraging in situ resource manufacturing.  

• Advanced logistics networks supported by crewed and autonomous rovers to keep the base supplied and functioning year-round. 

• Delivery of up to 38 tons of cargo annually to sustain habitats, power systems, logistics operations, and major science outposts, enabled by low-cost reusable heavy-lift capabilities. 

NASA’s Moon Base strategy is built on commercial and international participation at an unprecedented scale, combining the strengths of government, private innovation, and global collaboration.

From early demonstrations to long-term surface operations, Moon Base build-up will offer multiple entry points for industry and international partners to participate, innovate, and contribute. 

Carlos García-Galán, Moon Base Program Executive

Carlos García-Galán is the Program Executive for Moon Base, bringing more than 27 years of experience in human spaceflight to this role. In this position, he supports the overall management and development of NASA’s Moon Base, part of the agency’s broader effort to establish a lasting human presence on the Moon and prepare for future deep space exploration. Read more.

2026

• The Moon Base was announced during NASA’s “Ignition” event on March 24, 2026, where the agency unveiled a series of transformative initiatives designed to achieve President Donald J. Trump’s National Space Policy and advance American leadership in space. During the event, NASA introduced a phased approach to establishing a lunar base and enabling a sustained human presence on the Moon.
• Following the “Ignition” event, NASA released a series of Requests for Information (RFIs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to begin advancing development of Moon Base and its supporting systems and services.