Space is the final frontier for humanity, with NASA currently in the process of returning humans to the lunar surface with the Artemis IV Mission. After that, NASA wants to build a permanent base on the lunar surface, and yesterday they shared plans for how they will do it.
Under the new space policy, NASA wants to land on the moon every 6 months. Once this is achieved, the first phase of base construction will begin, serving as a platform to build, test, and learn what can work on the moon. Buildings, vehicles, and nuclear power systems will be thoroughly tested in the first phase.
The second phase will draw on lessons learned from the initial missions to build a semi-habitable infrastructure and permanent logistics. This phase will support repeated astronaut operations on the surface and incorporate contributions from international partners. JAXA and Toyota lunar rovers, for example, will be used, as well as other infrastructure and transportation capabilities.
The third phase will see humans permanently living on the moon with the help of a landing system that can carry heavier cargo. The Italian Space Agency’s Multipurpose Habitat System (MPH), the Canadian Space Agency’s (CSA) Lunar Utility Vehicle, and more will be deployed to the permanent base this month.
Next, by 2028, NASA will launch Space Reactor‑1 Freedom, the first nuclear-powered interplanetary spacecraft to Mars. The nuclear-electric propulsion system provides extraordinary capabilities to enable missions beyond Jupiter where solar panels are ineffective.
Once SR‑1 Freedom reaches Mars, it will use the Skyfall helicopter to conduct exploration. SR‑1 Freedom will serve as a standard for regulation and launch, and will enable the industrial foundation for future nuclear power systems for propulsion systems, surface operations, and long-duration missions to Mars and beyond.
