NASA has announced the start of construction on an ambitious base at the Moon’s south pole. The agency has already ordered the first landing modules, rovers, and drones in preparation for sending astronauts there.
According to RBC-Ukraine, citing the Associated Press (AP), NASA has signed contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Four American companies are developing equipment designed for operation in harsh conditions. In particular, Jeff Bezos’s company Blue Origin will build two landing modules that will deliver specialized rovers to the surface. Astrolab and Lunar Outpost are developing the rovers.
Firefly Aerospace, which has already proven itself last year, will send the first drones to the Moon. All equipment is expected to arrive at the site before humans. NASA plans the first landing in 2028.
Mission Schedule and Astronaut Training
The Artemis program is proceeding according to a clear plan. Preparation for Artemis III will begin next year. Astronauts will train to dock the Orion capsule in Earth orbit using landing modules from Blue Origin and Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
Key stages of lunar exploration:
- Mid-2027 – launch of the Artemis III mission.
- 2028 – landing of two astronauts on the surface.
- 2029 – start of construction of a permanent power system.
- 2030s – development of life support systems.
