NASA selects four new Moon missions to build a permanent lunar base
NASA has awarded nearly $600 million in contracts to three commercial space companies to deliver scientific payloads to the Moon in 2028. These missions are part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, aimed at establishing a permanent human presence on the lunar surface.
Why it matters
This investment accelerates the development of lunar infrastructure and logistics, which are critical for long-term human exploration and potential colonization of the Moon.
NASA has selected three commercial space companies to carry out four new Moon missions in late 2028, marking another major step in the agency's effort to establish a permanent human presence on the lunar surface. Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines will deliver scientific instruments to the Moon as part of NASA's growing Moon Base Program, which aims to create the first long-term outpost on another world.
"These new awards to our commercial partners, totaling nearly $600 million to land more missions on the Moon with science payloads, demonstrate our commitment to accelerating our effort to build a long-term presence on the lunar surface, and give us more opportunity to develop the skills we need to prosper there," said Lori Glaze, associate administrator for the Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
Nearly $600 Million Awarded for Four Lunar Missions
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