NASA Awards Nearly $600 Million for New Moon Missions to Support Permanent Lunar Base

NASA awards $600 million in lunar contracts to build permanent human presence on the Moon.

NASA has announced new contracts valued at nearly **$600 million** for a second set of robotic missions to the Moon, taking yet another giant leap towards the space agency’s ultimate goal of establishing a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface. Instead of one spacecraft, the agency is teaming with a number of private companies to deliver science instruments and new technology to the Moon.

The missions are scheduled to launch in **late 2028** and will be key to preparing for future astronaut missions and building a permanent lunar base.

Commercial Partners to Fuel Robotic Missions to the Moon

The new contracts will continue NASA’s approach to partnering with commercial space companies through its lunar delivery programme. Selected partners will carry scientific payloads, test new technologies and demonstrate capabilities needed for future human exploration.

NASA hopes the rivalry between several companies will lower costs, spur innovation and lead to more lunar missions.

Building Blocks of a Moon Base

The next robotic missions by NASA are part of a wider Moon Base programme to build the infrastructure for long-term human exploration beyond Earth.

The landers also are going to carry science experiments, engineering demonstrations and technology to help future astronauts live and work safely on the moon. The data collected will also support future deep space missions, including plans to send humans to Mars.

Lunar Rover, coming soon

Along with the new contracts, NASA said it would also study the development of a next-generation lunar rover based on the agency’s highly successful Mars rovers.

The space agency is also inviting industry partners to propose technologies that could support future lunar habitats, power systems, communications, mobility and resource utilisation, paving the way for a sustainable human presence on the Moon.

The new missions are slated to launch in **2028**, with preparations to begin in the next few months. NASA is increasingly partnering with commercial companies, and officials expect the robotic missions will enable astronauts to live and work on the Moon for extended periods, moving humanity one step closer to permanent lunar exploration.