NASA’s plan for a long-term human presence on the Moon is moving beyond brief astronaut visits, with India now potentially playing a role in the effort. The agency is developing a Moon Base near the lunar South Pole, where Chandrayaan-3 has given India valuable experience. The outpost is envisioned as a place where astronauts can live, conduct research and test technologies for deeper-space missions.<h2>What is the real objective of the Moon Base?</h2>The Moon Base is not simply about putting a permanent building on the lunar surface. It is intended to test whether humans can live and work for extended periods away from Earth, while developing systems for power, transportation, communications, resource extraction and construction.NASA is already working with commercial partners on cargo landers, rovers and other infrastructure, with some lunar deliveries targeted for 2028. The technologies being developed include systems to generate and store power, extract water and oxygen from local resources, and build landing pads and other infrastructure.<h2>Why is the lunar South Pole important?</h2>The lunar South Pole is valuable because some permanently shadowed craters are extremely cold and may preserve water ice and other volatiles. Water could become one of the most important resources for a future settlement – for drinking, life support and potentially producing hydrogen and oxygen for fuel.The region also contains areas that receive relatively prolonged sunlight, creating opportunities for solar power, while nearby shadowed regions could harbour ice. India has already contributed important knowledge about this difficult environment.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/gaganyaan-the-mission-that-could-change-how-the-world-sees-india-s-space-ambitions-1783690204848">Gaganyaan: The mission that could change how the world sees India’s space ambitions</a><h2>How does Chandrayaan-3 strengthen India’s position?</h2>Chandrayaan-3 gave ISRO something far more valuable than a successful landing: first-hand experience of operating in the lunar South Polar region.Vikram landed on August 23, 2023, and Pragyan conducted in-situ studies of the terrain. Its instruments measured temperature, seismic activity, plasma conditions and the elemental composition of lunar soil. ISRO says the rover travelled about 101 metres.More recently, ChaSTE data have helped scientists understand the thermal behaviour of the polar regolith, information relevant to future habitat and resource planning.<h2>What could ISRO’s role be – and what could India gain?</h2>NASA invited ISRO to join its Moon Base programme during the India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group meeting in Bengaluru on August 5-6. The two sides also agreed to advance discussions on scientific data sharing.India’s exact role has not yet been announced. But ISRO’s experience could make it a useful partner in robotic exploration, lunar science, landing technologies, surface mobility and resource mapping. Participation could also give Indian scientists and industry access to a much larger international lunar programme while strengthening India’s position in the emerging lunar economy.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-russia-ukraine-war-is-reshaping-energy-flows-food-prices-defence-spending-and-india-s-strategy-wion-decodes-1783337395169">How Russia-Ukraine war is reshaping energy flows, food prices, defence spending and India’s strategy | WION Decodes</a><h2>Could the Moon become a resource hub and Mars launchpad?</h2>The Moon could potentially become a resource hub and Mars launchpad – but that remains a long-term possibility, not an immediate reality.If water ice can be extracted economically, it could support life-support systems and produce propellant. Lunar resources could eventually reduce the need to transport everything from Earth. The Moon’s lower gravity could also make it attractive for launching spacecraft deeper into the solar system.That is why NASA describes the Moon Base as more than a destination. It is a test bed for technologies and operations needed for Mars. The lunar South Pole could ultimately become humanity’s first sustained foothold beyond Earth – and India now has an opportunity to help shape what that foothold becomes. &nbsp;

NASA’s Moon Base plan is opening a new chapter in lunar exploration, with India’s Chandrayaan-3 experience giving ISRO a potential role in the race to establish a long-term presence on the Moon.

NASA’s plan for a long-term human presence on the Moon is moving beyond brief astronaut visits, with India now potentially playing a role in the effort. The agency is developing a Moon Base near the lunar South Pole, where Chandrayaan-3 has given India valuable experience. The outpost is envisioned as a place where astronauts can live, conduct research and test technologies for deeper-space missions. What is the real objective of the Moon Base? The Moon Base is not simply about putting a permanent building on the lunar surface. It is intended to test whether humans can live and work for extended periods away from Earth, while developing systems for power, transportation, communications, resource extraction and construction. NASA is already working with commercial partners on cargo landers, rovers and other infrastructure, with some lunar deliveries targeted for 2028. The technologies being developed include systems to generate and store power, extract water and oxygen from local resources, and build landing pads and other infrastructure. Why is the lunar South Pole important? The lunar South Pole is valuable because some permanently shadowed craters are extremely cold and may preserve water ice and other volatiles. Water could become one of the most important resources for a future settlement – for drinking, life support and potentially producing hydrogen and oxygen for fuel. The region also contains areas that receive relatively prolonged sunlight, creating opportunities for solar power, while nearby shadowed regions could harbour ice. India has already contributed important knowledge about this difficult environment. Also read | Gaganyaan: The mission that could change how the world sees India’s space ambitions How does Chandrayaan-3 strengthen India’s position? Chandrayaan-3 gave ISRO something far more valuable than a successful landing: first-hand experience of operating in the lunar South Polar region. Vikram landed on August 23, 2023, and Pragyan conducted in-situ studies of the terrain. Its instruments measured temperature, seismic activity, plasma conditions and the elemental composition of lunar soil. ISRO says the rover travelled about 101 metres. More recently, ChaSTE data have helped scientists understand the thermal behaviour of the polar regolith, information relevant to future habitat and resource planning. What could ISRO’s role be – and what could India gain? NASA invited ISRO to join its Moon Base programme during the India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group meeting in Bengaluru on August 5-6. The two sides also agreed to advance discussions on scientific data sharing. India’s exact role has not yet been announced. But ISRO’s experience could make it a useful partner in robotic exploration, lunar science, landing technologies, surface mobility and resource mapping. Participation could also give Indian scientists and industry access to a much larger international lunar programme while strengthening India’s position in the emerging lunar economy. Also read | How Russia-Ukraine war is reshaping energy flows, food prices, defence spending and India’s strategy | WION Decodes Could the Moon become a resource hub and Mars launchpad? The Moon could potentially become a resource hub and Mars launchpad – but that remains a long-term possibility, not an immediate reality. If water ice can be extracted economically, it could support life-support systems and produce propellant. Lunar resources could eventually reduce the need to transport everything from Earth. The Moon’s lower gravity could also make it attractive for launching spacecraft deeper into the solar system. That is why NASA describes the Moon Base as more than a destination. It is a test bed for technologies and operations needed for Mars. The lunar South Pole could ultimately become humanity’s first sustained foothold beyond Earth – and India now has an opportunity to help shape what that foothold becomes.

NASA’s Moon Base plan is opening a new chapter in lunar exploration, with India’s Chandrayaan-3 experience giving ISRO a potential role in the race to establish a long-term presence on the Moon.

NASA’s Moon Base: How Chandrayaan-3 could give India an edge in the lunar race

The next era of lunar exploration could see NASA and ISRO working more closely as the United States looks to expand its presence on the Moon.

NASA wants future lunar exploration to become bigger, faster and more cost-efficient, with ambitious plans for a sustained human presence and a potential base on the Moon. India’s space agency ISRO could play an important role in this new phase of lunar exploration.

India has already demonstrated its growing capabilities in lunar missions, making ISRO an increasingly important partner in international space exploration.

From cost-effective technology to successful lunar missions, India’s space programme has attracted global attention. The potential NASA-ISRO partnership could open a new chapter in the race to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon.

Cheap, Fast, Successful: Why NASA Wants Isro on the Moon  | GRAVITAS 

American Space Agency NASA has invited its Indian counterpart, ISRO, to join its Moon Base program, which aims to build humanity's first Lunar outpost: a place where astronauts will live, work, and explore near the Moon’s South Pole(about 400,000 km from Earth). While America's 1969 mission Apollo 11 is the first to land astronauts on the Moon(near the equatorial region), India's 2023 mission Chandrayaan-3 is the first robotic craft to soft-land and explore near the Lunar south pole. NASA's invitation to ISRO was issued during the 9th meeting of the India-U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Group (CSJWG) hosted by India at the ISRO Headquarters in Bengaluru this month.&nbsp;As for Lunar ambitions, America is working to return astronauts to the moon by the end of this decade or by the start of the next, while India hopes to land its own astronauts on the Moon by 2024 or later. India is also working on sending its astronauts to space on a homegrown mission by the end of this decade.&nbsp; Meanwhile, China is working towards a manned lunar landing mission by the end of this decade and has long-term Lunar exploration and habitation goals. In partnership with Russia, China plans to build a permanent robotic and human research base called the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) at the Lunar south pole by 2035.The India-US meet was attended by Dr. V.&nbsp;Narayanan,&nbsp;Chairman, ISRO &amp; Secretary, Department of Space and Sergio&nbsp;Gor, US Ambassador to India. In their address, Narayanan and Gor highlighted the significance of further strengthening the bilateral space cooperation. The meeting was co-chaired on the Indian side by M.&nbsp;Sankaran, Director, UR Rao Satellite Centre, ISRO and on the U.S. side by Dr. Wesley Brooks, Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs and Kathleen&nbsp;Karika, NASA Associate Administrator for International and Interagency Relations.&nbsp;<h2>What is NASA's Moon Base program?</h2>NASA is embarking on one of the most ambitious endeavours in human history: building humanity’s first outpost on another celestial body. Located near the lunar South Pole, the Moon Base will be built step by step through a series of robotic and human missions that help astronauts learn how to live and operate in one of the most demanding and dangerous environments humans have ever set out to explore. The discoveries made and lessons learned there will help shape the future of exploration, from the Moon to Mars.Through a series of crewed and uncrewed missions, NASA and its partners will build the infrastructure needed to support an enduring human presence on the lunar surface while advancing science, technology, and exploration.NASA plans to establish the Moon Base near the lunar South Pole, a region that offers unique opportunities for exploration, discovery, and long-term human presence. Notably, the Lunar South Pole region is known to hold reserves of water ice, which can serve basic human needs and be converted to cryogenic rocket fuels: liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. This remote frontier may hold resources that can help support future explorers and answer important questions about the history of the Moon, Earth, and the solar system.NASA’s Moon Base strategy is built on commercial participation at an unprecedented scale, combining the strengths of government, private innovation, and global collaboration.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-cm-vijay-leads-mass-anti-drug-pledge-for-school-students-1786431072899">Tamil Nadu CM Vijay leads mass anti-drug pledge for school students</a><h2>The timeline of NASA's Lunar Base Program</h2>Until 2029, NASA is looking to gain reliable access to the lunar surface and build a deeper understanding of the harsh environment there. Robotic missions will explore the lunar South Pole, demonstrate new technologies, and gather the knowledge needed to guide future development. By expanding experience landing and operating on the Moon, NASA will identify promising locations for future infrastructure, improve mission capabilities, and reduce risk before astronauts arrive.Between 2029 and 2032, NASA aims to build and expand on what is learned during Phase One. This includes deploying the first infrastructure needed to support long-term operations on the Moon: Early power systems, cargo transportation, logistics, and communications capabilities. These will expand humanity’s footprint on the Moon and enable increasingly complex missions.Beyond 2032, NASA aims to begin assembling a permanent lunar outpost where astronauts can live and work for extended periods. Habitats, power systems, communications, transportation, and other critical capabilities will come together to support an enduring human presence near the Moon’s South Pole. As the Moon Base grows and evolves, it will enable increasingly ambitious scientific research, technology demonstrations, and exploration, while helping prepare humanity for future journeys deeper into the solar system.

NASA has invited ISRO to join its Moon Base programme near the lunar South Pole. Here is what the project aims to achieve and its timeline beyond 2029.

American Space Agency NASA has invited its Indian counterpart, ISRO, to join its Moon Base program, which aims to build humanity's first Lunar outpost: a place where astronauts will live, work, and explore near the Moon’s South Pole(about 400,000 km from Earth). While America's 1969 mission Apollo 11 is the first to land astronauts on the Moon(near the equatorial region), India's 2023 mission Chandrayaan-3 is the first robotic craft to soft-land and explore near the Lunar south pole. NASA's invitation to ISRO was issued during the 9th meeting of the India-U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Group (CSJWG) hosted by India at the ISRO Headquarters in Bengaluru this month. As for Lunar ambitions, America is working to return astronauts to the moon by the end of this decade or by the start of the next, while India hopes to land its own astronauts on the Moon by 2024 or later. India is also working on sending its astronauts to space on a homegrown mission by the end of this decade. Meanwhile, China is working towards a manned lunar landing mission by the end of this decade and has long-term Lunar exploration and habitation goals. In partnership with Russia, China plans to build a permanent robotic and human research base called the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) at the Lunar south pole by 2035. The India-US meet was attended by Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO & Secretary, Department of Space and Sergio Gor, US Ambassador to India. In their address, Narayanan and Gor highlighted the significance of further strengthening the bilateral space cooperation. The meeting was co-chaired on the Indian side by M. Sankaran, Director, UR Rao Satellite Centre, ISRO and on the U.S. side by Dr. Wesley Brooks, Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs and Kathleen Karika, NASA Associate Administrator for International and Interagency Relations. What is NASA's Moon Base program? NASA is embarking on one of the most ambitious endeavours in human history: building humanity’s first outpost on another celestial body. Located near the lunar South Pole, the Moon Base will be built step by step through a series of robotic and human missions that help astronauts learn how to live and operate in one of the most demanding and dangerous environments humans have ever set out to explore. The discoveries made and lessons learned there will help shape the future of exploration, from the Moon to Mars. Through a series of crewed and uncrewed missions, NASA and its partners will build the infrastructure needed to support an enduring human presence on the lunar surface while advancing science, technology, and exploration. NASA plans to establish the Moon Base near the lunar South Pole, a region that offers unique opportunities for exploration, discovery, and long-term human presence. Notably, the Lunar South Pole region is known to hold reserves of water ice, which can serve basic human needs and be converted to cryogenic rocket fuels: liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. This remote frontier may hold resources that can help support future explorers and answer important questions about the history of the Moon, Earth, and the solar system. NASA’s Moon Base strategy is built on commercial participation at an unprecedented scale, combining the strengths of government, private innovation, and global collaboration. Also Read: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay leads mass anti-drug pledge for school students The timeline of NASA's Lunar Base Program Until 2029, NASA is looking to gain reliable access to the lunar surface and build a deeper understanding of the harsh environment there. Robotic missions will explore the lunar South Pole, demonstrate new technologies, and gather the knowledge needed to guide future development. By expanding experience landing and operating on the Moon, NASA will identify promising locations for future infrastructure, improve mission capabilities, and reduce risk before astronauts arrive. Between 2029 and 2032, NASA aims to build and expand on what is learned during Phase One. This includes deploying the first infrastructure needed to support long-term operations on the Moon: Early power systems, cargo transportation, logistics, and communications capabilities. These will expand humanity’s footprint on the Moon and enable increasingly complex missions. Beyond 2032, NASA aims to begin assembling a permanent lunar outpost where astronauts can live and work for extended periods. Habitats, power systems, communications, transportation, and other critical capabilities will come together to support an enduring human presence near the Moon’s South Pole. As the Moon Base grows and evolves, it will enable increasingly ambitious scientific research, technology demonstrations, and exploration, while helping prepare humanity for future journeys deeper into the solar system.

NASA has invited ISRO to join its Moon Base programme near the lunar South Pole. Here is what the project aims to achieve and its timeline beyond 2029.

NASA invites ISRO to build a base on the Moon

NASA has accelerated its timeline for setting up a permanent lunar human base. The US space agency on Tuesday (Jun 30) awarded nearly $600 million in fresh contracts to three commercial space companies. This will ensure that four automated logistics missions will head to the Moon’s south pole by late 2028, bridging a critical infrastructure gap as the agency eyes the start of actual Moon base construction by 2029.The cash injection lands at a volatile time for NASA's ambitious programme. Just last month, Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin suffered a high-profile setback when its New Glenn rocket exploded during a static-fire pad test, wrecking launchpad infrastructure and tossing a wrench into NASA's immediate robotic schedules.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/satellite-images-reveal-scale-of-venezuela-earthquake-devastation-nearly-59-000-buildings-damaged-nasa-releases-data-1782813776609">Satellite images reveal scale of Venezuela earthquake devastation; nearly 59,000 buildings damaged - NASA releases data</a><h2>Why does NASA want a base on the Moon?</h2>For years, NASA focused on Gateway, a planned space station orbiting the Moon.That changed earlier this year. In March, the agency shifted its attention towards building infrastructure directly on the lunar surface, pledging roughly $20 billion over the next seven years for the effort.The preferred location is the Moon's south pole, a region that has become increasingly important because scientists believe large quantities of water ice are trapped in permanently shadowed craters there.This water could one day provide drinking supplies, oxygen and even rocket fuel, making it a critical resource for long-term lunar exploration.<h2>Who just won NASA's new contracts?</h2>Rather than gambling on entirely unproven spacecraft, NASA is banking on upgrades to hardware that has already been built or flown. The strategy is designed to drive down research costs and force a much faster launch cadence.The $600 million funding has been split between three companies:- Astrobotic (Pittsburgh): Secured the lion's share at $297.9 million to fund two separate cargo deliveries using scaled variants of its Peregrine framework.- Intuitive Machines (Houston): Granted $148.3 million for a single delivery mission.- Firefly Aerospace (Austin): Awarded $144.2 million to execute one surface landing.These landers will transport scientific arrays, data-gathering sensors, and navigation experiments to map ice deposits and analyse soil erosion before heavy human habitats arrive.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-is-the-tower-of-babel-and-why-did-pope-leo-warn-about-it-while-talking-about-ai-wion-decodes-1779790151646">Pope Leo warns humanity risks repeating ancient mistake: What is the Tower of Babel and what does it have to do with AI?</a><h2>Mars rover on the Moon?</h2>The most unexpected development from the briefing was NASA's plan to repurpose a massive piece of Martian hardware for the lunar surface. The agency is preparing to strip down and rebuild PROMISE (Polar Rover for Observation, Mapping, and In-Situ Exploration), a heavy testbed vehicle housed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory that was originally engineered to mirror the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers currently on Mars."We are thinking very hard right now about sending Promise to the moon," said NASA administrator, Jared "Rook" Isaacman.Promise's internal machinery offers a massive tactical advantage for lunar operations. The Mars rover runs on a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG). Unlike solar-powered rovers that freeze and die during the two-week-long lunar night, PROMISE's nuclear core will keep it fully operational in pitch-black, permanently shadowed craters where scientists suspect massive deposits of water ice are trapped.<h2>Overcoming the Blue Origin disaster</h2>Carlos García-Galán, the Moon Base program manager, acknowledged that while Blue Origin's May explosion has created a logistical headache. "We're working with Blue Origin very closely to understand their timelines to recovery and also looking at other options," he said.

NASA has awarded nearly $600 million in new lunar contracts as it pushes forward with plans to establish a permanent base near the Moon's south pole. The agency says the missions will deliver cargo, scientific instruments and technology needed to identify future construction sites.

NASA has accelerated its timeline for setting up a permanent lunar human base. The US space agency on Tuesday (Jun 30) awarded nearly $600 million in fresh contracts to three commercial space companies. This will ensure that four automated logistics missions will head to the Moon’s south pole by late 2028, bridging a critical infrastructure gap as the agency eyes the start of actual Moon base construction by 2029. The cash injection lands at a volatile time for NASA's ambitious programme. Just last month, Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin suffered a high-profile setback when its New Glenn rocket exploded during a static-fire pad test, wrecking launchpad infrastructure and tossing a wrench into NASA's immediate robotic schedules. Also read | Satellite images reveal scale of Venezuela earthquake devastation; nearly 59,000 buildings damaged - NASA releases data Why does NASA want a base on the Moon? For years, NASA focused on Gateway, a planned space station orbiting the Moon. That changed earlier this year. In March, the agency shifted its attention towards building infrastructure directly on the lunar surface, pledging roughly $20 billion over the next seven years for the effort. The preferred location is the Moon's south pole, a region that has become increasingly important because scientists believe large quantities of water ice are trapped in permanently shadowed craters there. This water could one day provide drinking supplies, oxygen and even rocket fuel, making it a critical resource for long-term lunar exploration. Who just won NASA's new contracts? Rather than gambling on entirely unproven spacecraft, NASA is banking on upgrades to hardware that has already been built or flown. The strategy is designed to drive down research costs and force a much faster launch cadence. The $600 million funding has been split between three companies: - Astrobotic (Pittsburgh): Secured the lion's share at $297.9 million to fund two separate cargo deliveries using scaled variants of its Peregrine framework. - Intuitive Machines (Houston): Granted $148.3 million for a single delivery mission. - Firefly Aerospace (Austin): Awarded $144.2 million to execute one surface landing. These landers will transport scientific arrays, data-gathering sensors, and navigation experiments to map ice deposits and analyse soil erosion before heavy human habitats arrive. Also read | Pope Leo warns humanity risks repeating ancient mistake: What is the Tower of Babel and what does it have to do with AI? Mars rover on the Moon? The most unexpected development from the briefing was NASA's plan to repurpose a massive piece of Martian hardware for the lunar surface. The agency is preparing to strip down and rebuild PROMISE (Polar Rover for Observation, Mapping, and In-Situ Exploration), a heavy testbed vehicle housed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory that was originally engineered to mirror the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers currently on Mars. "We are thinking very hard right now about sending Promise to the moon," said NASA administrator, Jared "Rook" Isaacman. Promise's internal machinery offers a massive tactical advantage for lunar operations. The Mars rover runs on a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG). Unlike solar-powered rovers that freeze and die during the two-week-long lunar night, PROMISE's nuclear core will keep it fully operational in pitch-black, permanently shadowed craters where scientists suspect massive deposits of water ice are trapped. Overcoming the Blue Origin disaster Carlos García-Galán, the Moon Base program manager, acknowledged that while Blue Origin's May explosion has created a logistical headache. "We're working with Blue Origin very closely to understand their timelines to recovery and also looking at other options," he said.

NASA has awarded nearly $600 million in new lunar contracts as it pushes forward with plans to establish a permanent base near the Moon's south pole. The agency says the missions will deliver cargo, scientific instruments and technology needed to identify future construction sites.

Humans to live on the Moon by 2029? NASA awards $600mn in contracts, unveils next phase of lunar base plans

Pittsburgh-based company Astrobotic has unveiled its Griffin-1 lunar lander, a part of NASA's Moon Base II mission. It is the initial phase of establishing a permanent human outpost on the Moon. The lander is currently scheduled to lift off towards the end of 2026 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. "This is the first infrastructure-class lander going to the surface of the moon," Astrobotic CEO John Thornton said. Griffin will carry several payloads and research and technology demonstrations to the Moon as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, including the FLIP (Flex Lunar Innovation Platform) rover. Thornton said the lander will be "part of the cornerstone of building the moon base".&nbsp;Astrobotic is currently finishing integrating the payloads with the lander, and work is expected to finish by June 20. Astrobotic's own BEACON CubeRover, which it has developed in coordination with Mission Control Space Services, is part of the mission. The European Space Agency's LandCam-X, will also be carried to the Moon by Griffin and has been designed to help improve lunar landing precision and reliability.&nbsp;Gryphon-1 will be transported to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California next week, where environmental tests will be carried out. Later, it will be delivered to Florida, where the FLIP rover will be integrated into the lander prior to launch.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/new-theory-suggests-billions-of-mini-universes-could-be-scattered-in-our-own-cosmos-1781512244963">New theory suggests billions of 'mini universes' could be scattered in our own cosmos</a><h2>Astrobotic's second moon mission after the failed Peregrine&nbsp;</h2>This is the second lunar mission by Astrobotic. The smaller Peregrine lunar lander was launched in January 2024, but a propellant leak cut short its time in space, and it failed to reach its destination. Peregrine Mission One was the first-ever NASA CLPS flight. Griffin is 6 feet tall and twice as wide as Peregrine. NASA has joined hands with commercial companies for lunar landers, which will deliver technology demonstrations and other payloads to the surface of the moon. It is part of the larger Artemis program, which aims to land humans on the moon, build a base and eventually establish a permanent habitation.<h2>What is Griffin carrying to the Moon?</h2>According to Astrobotic, Griffin's payload capacity to the lunar surface stands at 625 kilograms, costing $1.2 million per kilogram. It will carry 10 payloads from six separate nations in total, with four additional NASA payloads aboard FLIP. Some other items are also being shipped to the Moon. This includes messages from children in Japan on a plaque from the Nippon Travel Agency; a payload from the Galactic Library to Preserve Humanity from Nanofiche carrying a super miniaturised collection of literature and art; and a MoonBox capsule filled with items from around the world sent to the Tokyo-based company Astrobotic on micro SD cards.&nbsp;

Astrobotic's Griffin-1 lunar lander will be launched in late 2026, carrying 10 payloads from different countries and four others from NASA. It also includes messages from Japanese children and a moon capsule. 

Pittsburgh-based company Astrobotic has unveiled its Griffin-1 lunar lander, a part of NASA's Moon Base II mission. It is the initial phase of establishing a permanent human outpost on the Moon. The lander is currently scheduled to lift off towards the end of 2026 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. "This is the first infrastructure-class lander going to the surface of the moon," Astrobotic CEO John Thornton said. Griffin will carry several payloads and research and technology demonstrations to the Moon as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, including the FLIP (Flex Lunar Innovation Platform) rover. Thornton said the lander will be "part of the cornerstone of building the moon base". Astrobotic is currently finishing integrating the payloads with the lander, and work is expected to finish by June 20. Astrobotic's own BEACON CubeRover, which it has developed in coordination with Mission Control Space Services, is part of the mission. The European Space Agency's LandCam-X, will also be carried to the Moon by Griffin and has been designed to help improve lunar landing precision and reliability. Gryphon-1 will be transported to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California next week, where environmental tests will be carried out. Later, it will be delivered to Florida, where the FLIP rover will be integrated into the lander prior to launch. Also Read: New theory suggests billions of 'mini universes' could be scattered in our own cosmos Astrobotic's second moon mission after the failed Peregrine This is the second lunar mission by Astrobotic. The smaller Peregrine lunar lander was launched in January 2024, but a propellant leak cut short its time in space, and it failed to reach its destination. Peregrine Mission One was the first-ever NASA CLPS flight. Griffin is 6 feet tall and twice as wide as Peregrine. NASA has joined hands with commercial companies for lunar landers, which will deliver technology demonstrations and other payloads to the surface of the moon. It is part of the larger Artemis program, which aims to land humans on the moon, build a base and eventually establish a permanent habitation. What is Griffin carrying to the Moon? According to Astrobotic, Griffin's payload capacity to the lunar surface stands at 625 kilograms, costing $1.2 million per kilogram. It will carry 10 payloads from six separate nations in total, with four additional NASA payloads aboard FLIP. Some other items are also being shipped to the Moon. This includes messages from children in Japan on a plaque from the Nippon Travel Agency; a payload from the Galactic Library to Preserve Humanity from Nanofiche carrying a super miniaturised collection of literature and art; and a MoonBox capsule filled with items from around the world sent to the Tokyo-based company Astrobotic on micro SD cards.

Astrobotic's Griffin-1 lunar lander will be launched in late 2026, carrying 10 payloads from different countries and four others from NASA. It also includes messages from Japanese children and a moon capsule.&nbsp;

Griffin-1 lander will carry time capsule and messages from Japanese children to the Moon

The latest files released by the US Department of War documenting the extraterrestrial, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs) have revived the conspiracy theories about an alien base on the Earth’s natural satellite. This comes after the third batch of UFO files was released by the Pentagon on Friday (Jun 12). Among the files was an audio recording from a secret NASA meeting following the Apollo 16 mission, suggesting a possible “alien base” on the dark side of the moon.Apollo 16, which took place in April 1972, sent astronauts John Young and Charles Duke to explore the Moon’s highland region, while command module pilot Thomas “Ken” Mattingly remained in orbit.During the newly released 55-minute briefing, scientists reviewed data gathered during the mission, including lunar gravity measurements, laser experiments and several unexplained features identified on the Moon’s far side.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/did-cia-destroy-an-alien-message-newly-released-ufo-files-reveal-bizarre-1958-mystery-1781337303228">'Message from space': Did CIA destroy an alien message? Newly released UFO files reveal bizarre 1958 mystery</a>A part of the conversation focused on a large depression near the Van de Graaff crater, a region that has long attracted scientific interest because of its distinctive magnetic and geological properties.While discussing the feature, one participant referred to a “big hole” located in the area. The exchange then took an unexpected turn when another speaker casually suggested that it “could be an alien star base or something” before immediately moving on to the next presentation slide.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">An &quot;alien starbase&quot; on the backside of the moon - via the third tranche of declassified UAP files:<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/ufo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ufo</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/uap?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#uap</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/disclosureday?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#disclosureday</a> <a href="https://t.co/mK3gRLLxlE">https://t.co/mK3gRLLxlE</a> <a href="https://t.co/WbIYRP495n">pic.twitter.com/WbIYRP495n</a>&mdash; HermaJestar (@HermaJestar) <a href="https://x.com/HermaJestar/status/2065408295016263894?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The comment was made in the middle of a broader technical discussion and was not accompanied by any evidence supporting the idea. It remains unclear whether the remark was intended as a serious observation, speculation or simply a light-hearted aside.The recording has drawn attention because it was absent from official mission transcripts and forms part of a growing archive of declassified documents related to unidentified aerial phenomena and unexplained observations.

A newly released Apollo 16-era NASA audio recording in Pentagon UFO files has reignited Moon conspiracy theories after a participant casually mentioned a possible “alien star base” on the lunar far side.

The latest files released by the US Department of War documenting the extraterrestrial, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs) have revived the conspiracy theories about an alien base on the Earth’s natural satellite. This comes after the third batch of UFO files was released by the Pentagon on Friday (Jun 12). Among the files was an audio recording from a secret NASA meeting following the Apollo 16 mission, suggesting a possible “alien base” on the dark side of the moon. Apollo 16, which took place in April 1972, sent astronauts John Young and Charles Duke to explore the Moon’s highland region, while command module pilot Thomas “Ken” Mattingly remained in orbit. During the newly released 55-minute briefing, scientists reviewed data gathered during the mission, including lunar gravity measurements, laser experiments and several unexplained features identified on the Moon’s far side. Also read | 'Message from space': Did CIA destroy an alien message? Newly released UFO files reveal bizarre 1958 mystery A part of the conversation focused on a large depression near the Van de Graaff crater, a region that has long attracted scientific interest because of its distinctive magnetic and geological properties. While discussing the feature, one participant referred to a “big hole” located in the area. The exchange then took an unexpected turn when another speaker casually suggested that it “could be an alien star base or something” before immediately moving on to the next presentation slide.

A newly released Apollo 16-era NASA audio recording in Pentagon UFO files has reignited Moon conspiracy theories after a participant casually mentioned a possible “alien star base” on the lunar far side.

UFO files: ‘Alien base’ on the moon’s dark side? Secret NASA audio recording from Apollo 16 reveals...

A report has warned that China's "space habitation and lunar ambitions" can pose a security threat to the United States. It states that the two countries could fight "over control of lunar resources and territory" as Beijing prepares to land humans on the Moon, as does the US, Defense One reported. The paper by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies paints a bleak outlook for the space race, which is being led by the two countries. According to the author, active-duty US Space Force (USSF) personnel would need to be stationed on the Moon and the space station to defend against China’s alleged military-focused space initiatives. Retired USSF Colonel Kyle Pumroy also slammed the US human spaceflight and Moon programs that he says have suffered because of "inconsistency in vision, policy, and funding", and this has led "China to gain steady ground over time."&nbsp;Pumroy says it is crucial to immediately develop a military human spaceflight program which allows for Guardians in space. China's space agency has taken huge strides in the cosmos, completing the Tiangong Space Station in 2022 and landing rovers on the Moon. Its next step is to send humans to the Moon, a target the US is also working towards. While Donald Trump has asserted that the US would leave China behind, the latter's progress in space missions means that it is not far behind either.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sun-released-a-record-breaking-radio-burst-for-19-days-nasa-and-esa-probes-reveal-what-happened-1779873159921">Record-breaking solar radio burst lasted 19 days. NASA and ESA probes reveal what happened</a><h2>Report claims “hard power” needed in new space race</h2>However, the 1967 Outer Space Treaty bans military activities in space and states that no country can stake a claim to the Moon. But Pumroy says the US might have to abandon it as China has a "record of ignoring treaty agreements and territorial aggression". He claims the habitat it wants to build on the Moon is aligned with the country's military. “When territorial conquest, the potential for economic gain, and national interests overlap, societies seek to establish favourable norms and standards and do so using various degrees of hard power,” he wrote, adding "hard power will ultimately matter in this new space race."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/unexplainable-activity-in-w-constellation-cassiopeia-finally-has-an-answer-160-years-later-1779719224496">Unexplainable 'ghost' activity in Cassiopeia finally has an answer 160 years later</a>&nbsp;The Space Force was established in 2019 and the Guardians (its members) manage space launches, maintain GPS, weather and communication satellites, and work on other related things. However, the paper says that a military human spaceflight program with Title 10 authorities should instead be created. This would grant the Department of Defense the authority to organise, train, and deploy military forces globally.

Space would need to be defended as China and the US pursue their ambitions in orbit and on the Moon. The report states that the US should urgently work to prepare a force that can be stationed on the Moon and stop China from asserting authority over the lunar body. 

A report has warned that China's "space habitation and lunar ambitions" can pose a security threat to the United States. It states that the two countries could fight "over control of lunar resources and territory" as Beijing prepares to land humans on the Moon, as does the US, Defense One reported. The paper by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies paints a bleak outlook for the space race, which is being led by the two countries. According to the author, active-duty US Space Force (USSF) personnel would need to be stationed on the Moon and the space station to defend against China’s alleged military-focused space initiatives. Retired USSF Colonel Kyle Pumroy also slammed the US human spaceflight and Moon programs that he says have suffered because of "inconsistency in vision, policy, and funding", and this has led "China to gain steady ground over time." Pumroy says it is crucial to immediately develop a military human spaceflight program which allows for Guardians in space. China's space agency has taken huge strides in the cosmos, completing the Tiangong Space Station in 2022 and landing rovers on the Moon. Its next step is to send humans to the Moon, a target the US is also working towards. While Donald Trump has asserted that the US would leave China behind, the latter's progress in space missions means that it is not far behind either. Also Read: Record-breaking solar radio burst lasted 19 days. NASA and ESA probes reveal what happened Report claims “hard power” needed in new space race However, the 1967 Outer Space Treaty bans military activities in space and states that no country can stake a claim to the Moon. But Pumroy says the US might have to abandon it as China has a "record of ignoring treaty agreements and territorial aggression". He claims the habitat it wants to build on the Moon is aligned with the country's military. “When territorial conquest, the potential for economic gain, and national interests overlap, societies seek to establish favourable norms and standards and do so using various degrees of hard power,” he wrote, adding "hard power will ultimately matter in this new space race." Also Read: Unexplainable 'ghost' activity in Cassiopeia finally has an answer 160 years later The Space Force was established in 2019 and the Guardians (its members) manage space launches, maintain GPS, weather and communication satellites, and work on other related things. However, the paper says that a military human spaceflight program with Title 10 authorities should instead be created. This would grant the Department of Defense the authority to organise, train, and deploy military forces globally.

Space would need to be defended as China and the US pursue their ambitions in orbit and on the Moon. The report states that the US should urgently work to prepare a force that can be stationed on the Moon and stop China from asserting authority over the lunar body.&nbsp;

Treaty poopers: Think Tank warns US needs actual 'Guardians of the Galaxy' before China claims the Moon

NASA announced the first three Moon Base missions to begin building sustained operations: Moon Base I: Targeted for launch no earlier than fall 2026, this mission will use Blue Origin's Blue Moon Mark 1 Endurance lander to deliver NASA payloads.


NASA Announces Three Commercial Lunar Missions

NASA is preparing to share new details about its Moon Base programme, aimed at establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon. The space agency will provide updates during a news conference scheduled for May 26 at its headquarters in Washington. The briefing will include information on upcoming missions, partnerships and progress in building infrastructure on the lunar surface.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We&#39;re building a Moon Base! <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAMoonBase?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASAMoonBase</a> will serve as a habitat where astronauts live and work during long-term science missions. Join us at 2pm ET on Tuesday, May 26, for a live news event where we’ll share updates on our lunar exploration plans: <a href="https://t.co/IJXA7xYwju">https://t.co/IJXA7xYwju</a> <a href="https://t.co/jAnkXDg3NY">pic.twitter.com/jAnkXDg3NY</a>&mdash; NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/2057163010460782722?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>What is NASA’s Moon Base project</h2>The Moon Base initiative is designed to create a long-term habitat where astronauts can live and work on the Moon. Unlike earlier missions that focused on short visits, this programme aims to support continuous human presence.&nbsp; The base is expected to serve as a centre for:Scientific researchTechnology developmentCommercial activitiesNASA has described it as a step towards building a permanent outpost beyond Earth.<h2>Why the Moon’s south pole is important</h2>NASA plans to focus its efforts on the Moon’s south pole. This region is believed to contain water ice in permanently shadowed areas.Scientists say this resource could be used to:Produce drinking waterGenerate oxygen for breathingCreate fuel for spacecraftThese capabilities could make long-term human presence on the Moon more practical and sustainable.<h2>Key officials and mission updates</h2>The upcoming briefing will include participation from senior NASA officials, including Administrator Jared Isaacman.The agency is expected to discuss:Progress in lunar missionsNew partnerships with industryPlans for future explorationNASA has also said that astronauts will be sent on increasingly complex missions as part of the programme.<h2>Link to future Mars missions</h2>The Moon Base project is part of NASA’s broader space exploration strategy. The agency sees the Moon as a testing ground for future missions to Mars. By developing technologies and experience on the Moon, NASA aims to prepare for longer and more challenging missions beyond Earth. This approach positions the Moon as a stepping stone towards deeper space exploration.<h2>Growing interest in lunar exploration</h2>The Moon Base plan reflects increasing global interest in space exploration. Governments and private companies are investing in lunar missions and infrastructure. NASA’s programme is expected to play a key role in shaping future international and commercial activities on the Moon.<h2>What happens next</h2>The Moon Base initiative will develop in phases, with updates expected as missions progress. The May 26 briefing will provide a clearer picture of timelines and next steps. As plans move forward, the project could mark a shift from short-term missions to long-term human presence in space, opening new possibilities for research and exploration.&nbsp;

NASA is preparing to share new details about its Moon Base programme, aimed at establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon. The space agency will provide updates during a news conference scheduled for May 26 at its headquarters in Washington.

NASA is preparing to share new details about its Moon Base programme, aimed at establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon. The space agency will provide updates during a news conference scheduled for May 26 at its headquarters in Washington. The briefing will include information on upcoming missions, partnerships and progress in building infrastructure on the lunar surface.

NASA is preparing to share new details about its Moon Base programme, aimed at establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon. The space agency will provide updates during a news conference scheduled for May 26 at its headquarters in Washington.

NASA to unveil Moon Base plans: What it means for long-term space missions

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Think Tank warns US needs 'Guardians of the Galaxy' before China claims the Moon

NASA Announces Three Commercial Lunar Missions

NASA to unveil Moon Base plans: What it means for long-term space missions