NASA details plans for lunar base and robotic infrastructure

NASA has unveiled technical details regarding the development of a permanent lunar base, utilizing robotic landers, drones, and specialized vehicles. The project includes plans for living quarters and power systems, such as nuclear and solar energy, spread across hundreds of square kilometers near the lunar south pole. Contracts have been awarded to companies including Blue Origin, which received 188 million dollars, Astrolab with 219 million dollars, and Lunar Outpost with 220 million dollars. The agency aims to establish this base by 2032 as part of an effort to facilitate future missions to Mars and scientific research. While the United States intends to return astronauts to the Moon before 2029, experts have expressed skepticism regarding the feasibility of this timeline. Simultaneously, the U.S. is engaged in a space race with China, which maintains its own goal of landing humans on the Moon by 2030. NASA officials emphasized the strategic importance of the installation, noting that it represents a long-term commitment to lunar presence.