Moon Base Overview

2026

Blue Origin will launch their endurance lander on the lunar South Pole to study key technologies and deliver science investigations

July 2026

Astrobotic will land their Griffin lander to further demonstrate commercial landing capabilities and deliver payloads for NASA on the lunar South Pole. Griffin Mission-1 will be the largest lander ever sent to the moon.

2026

Intuitive Machines will land their Nova C lander to deliver payload to the South Pole and further demonstrate key landing technologies.

2028

NASA plans to land MoonFall drones which use propulsive hops to map and reach the most challenging surfaces of the moon.

2027

The Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) will investigate water and other potential resources on the South Pole.

2028

These Lunar Terrain vehicles will allow astronauts to travel further and work longer on the lunar surface. They are designed to last a minimum of one year and around 500-550 miles of travel.

Radioisotope Heating Units will use decaying Radioisotope material to keep electronics within safe temperatures during the freezing dark where solar power isn't available.

This satellite constellation will orbit the moon improving communication and navigation capabilities on and around the moon.

Being developed by Toyota and the Japanese Space Agency, the pressurized rover will allow astronauts to venture beyond the lunar base where they will be able to conduct research and experiments. The rover will be capable of supporting the astronauts up to 30 days and up to 150 hours in total darkness.

These rovers will perform preparation activities on potential sites such as excavation and logistics.

Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators will be delivered to the lunar surface to demonstrate nuclear power capabilities. These generators will provide power to equipment in the dark where solar power isn't available.

NASA will test solar power units which may be able to help provide power to key technologies.

These devices will be able to provide reliable communication within a 6 mile radius.

Larger habitation modules will support environmental control, power, and life support capabilities to extend lunar operations.

NASA could implement technology that will allow for oxygen, water, and hydrogen extractment and 3D printing for construction. This would make lunar exploration safer while reducing launch costs.

Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators will be delivered to the lunar surface to demonstrate nuclear power capabilities. These generators will provide power to equipment in the dark where solar power isn't available.

These landers could return up to 500kg of material from the moon to Earth such as samples, research, and hardware.

New logistic systems that could potentially increase the amount of payload that can be delivered to the moon.