Arabic version: ناسا تحدد خطط بناء قاعدة دائمة على القمر
NASA has detailed its next steps in establishing a permanent lunar base, including the use of robotic landers, hopping drones, and vehicles designed for the Moon’s surface. According to BBC News, the initiative involves collaboration with several companies, including Blue Origin, founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos.
The U.S. aims to return astronauts to the Moon before 2028, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s term. However, NASA faces stiff competition from China, which has set ambitious plans to land humans on the Moon by 2030. Recently, China launched its Shenzhou-23 spacecraft, carrying astronauts to the country’s Tiangong space station.
In March, NASA announced a $20 billion program aimed at creating a permanent base at the Moon’s south pole by 2032, utilizing nuclear and solar power. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized that this initiative signifies a commitment to maintaining a presence on the Moon. The base is expected to facilitate scientific research, resource extraction, and easier travel to Mars.
Despite these plans, experts express skepticism about the feasibility of NASA’s timeline. Dr. Simeon Barber, a lunar scientist, indicated that setbacks in developing a human-landing craft could hinder U.S. efforts, suggesting that China might achieve a lunar landing first.
NASA’s Ignition Moon Base program consists of three phases, starting with robotic missions to explore the Moon’s terrain. Contracts have been awarded to companies like Blue Origin and Astrobotic to develop the necessary technology. The robotic exploration phase is anticipated to last until 2029, involving 25 launches and 4 metric tonnes of cargo deliveries to the lunar surface.
Following the robotic phase, NASA aims to establish power facilities on the Moon and create semi-permanent housing for astronauts by 2032. This plan hinges on the successful development of SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System, which has encountered delays. Experts stress that the key challenge remains safely transporting astronauts to the Moon’s surface, highlighting the political pressures behind NASA’s ambitious announcements.
