NASA’s lunar base plan is up. NASA will host a news conference on May 26 at 2 p.m. EDT or 11:30 PM to present plans for Moon Base, a long-term lunar infrastructure initiative targeting a sustained human presence at the lunar South Pole. The briefing will include NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, acting associate administrator Lori Glaze, and Moon Base program executive Carlos García-Galán.
The agency is advancing Moon Base as part of the updated Artemis program architecture.
Artemis V, anticipated by late 2028, is the mission during which NASA expects to begin constructing the base. Under the revised program, Artemis III (scheduled for 2027) will focus on testing integrated systems in Earth orbit, with Artemis IV serving as the first lunar landing. From Artemis V onward, NASA targets at least one crewed surface mission per year, with a longer-term goal of increasing cadence to every six months as reusable and commercially procured hardware matures.
NASA described Moon Base as a habitat where astronauts will live and work during long-duration science missions, with robotic systems operating alongside crew to support lunar research and preparatory work for eventual Mars missions.
NASA’s official social media account stated that Moon Base will serve as a lunar habitat for long-duration exploration and science. NASA administrator Jared Isaacman noted on Twitter that preparation for the first Moon Base is already underway. Meanwhile, Elon Musk reacted to the announcement, describing the plans as “awesome.”
