Science & Tech · Space · 3 hrs ago
NASA advances Moon Base plans as three lunar lander missions slip
NASA shared new Moon Base plans at Kennedy Space Center during an event on November 7.
The project aims to build a base near the Moon’s South Pole, starting with commercial robotic landers, rovers and supporting infrastructure.
The agency awarded or expects to award billions of dollars for cargo landers, a nuclear-powered rover, transportation and other capabilities.
NASA wants robotic missions to study the area’s ground, lighting and temperatures before astronauts arrive.
Three planned lunar lander missions have slipped from 2026 to 2027, including Blue Origin’s Endurance, Astrobotic’s Griffin and Intuitive Machines’ Trinity.
NASA had aimed to launch 10 missions a year from 2027 through 2029, but those plans are now expected to wait until 2028.
The delays leave less time for robotic exploration before NASA’s planned 2028 crewed return to the Moon; the agency also opened applications for its next astronaut class.
NASA says its Moon Base plans are advancing, with billions of dollars awarded or expected for lunar cargo landers, a nuclear-powered rover, transportation and infrastructure.
The three Commercial Lunar Payload Services missions expected to launch in 2026 have all slipped to 2027.
NASA’s hope to launch 10 such missions in 2027 has been pushed to 2028.
The agency plans to establish a Moon Base at the lunar South Pole, beginning with commercial robotic landers, rovers and supporting infrastructure.
- Who
- NASA, including Administrator Jared Isaacman and Moon Base Program Manager Carlos García-Galán.
- What
- NASA gave an update on Moon Base plans and contract awards as three planned lunar lander missions slipped. The agency also said its goal of 10 CLPS launches in 2027 would wait until 2028.
- When
- The update took place on November 7, 2026. The changes to launch plans were reported on November 10.
- Where
- At the MAX POWER airshow at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
- Why
- NASA is preparing for lunar exploration and a planned Moon Base at the South Pole. Griffin’s launch is delayed at least until January because of lunar launch-window timing and ongoing engine tests; reasons for the other two slips are not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Isaacman presented a long-term Moon Base vision at NASA’s Ignition event, including plans for 10 CLPS launches per year in 2027, 2028 and 2029.
NASA expected three CLPS missions to launch that year.
NASA announced Moon Base updates and contract awards at the MAX POWER event.
SpacePolicyOnline reported that all three expected 2026 CLPS missions had slipped to 2027 and the planned 2027 total of 10 would wait until 2028.
- Planned base
- Lunar South Pole
- 2026 missions delayed
- Three CLPS missions
- 2027 launch target
- 10 missions, now expected to wait until 2028
- Griffin
- January at the earliest
- First CLPS contracts
- $2.6 billion through 2028