NASA Plans Permanent Moon Base Missions This Year

NASA is initiating a series of lunar missions aimed at establishing a permanent base on the Moon's South Pole. The first of these, Moon Base I, is scheduled for fall 2026 and will utilize Blue Origin's lander to deliver scientific instruments. These instruments will study the interaction of thruster plumes with the lunar surface, gathering crucial data for future crewed landings. This initiative is part of a larger plan involving over a dozen missions this year, supporting the ultimate goal of a crewed Artemis landing by 2028.