NASA has announced a series of awards to further its Moon Base exploration and development efforts. The agency is working to establish a sustained presence on the Moon's South Pole, with investments in commercial robotic deliveries, a nuclear-powered rover, and surface infrastructure.
According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, the agency is building its Moon Base mission by mission, using a approach that involves flying often, learning, and applying lessons to improve capabilities. The agency has selected eight companies to participate in the next phase of its Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, which will provide lunar delivery services for NASA science, technology, and infrastructure payloads.
These companies will be eligible to compete for future lunar surface delivery missions under a new contract framework. NASA has also announced plans to develop a nuclear-powered rover, called PROMISE, which will be used to characterize the surface and subsurface of the Moon's South Pole.
The PROMISE rover will be equipped with science instruments and technology demonstrations, and will be capable of operating during long lunar nights and in permanently shadowed regions. NASA has awarded a contract to Blue Origin to deliver the rover to the lunar South Pole, with a target launch date of late 2028.
The agency has also awarded task orders to several companies to demonstrate launch and transportation capabilities for the Moon Base, including Orbital Transfer Vehicles and lunar landers. NASA's efforts to establish a Moon Base are ongoing, with the agency working to consolidate its efforts into a streamlined program.