WASHINGTON — NASA announced plans to launch three missions later this year to initiate the construction of a long-awaited lunar base, marking a significant step in the agency’s efforts to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon. The first of more than a dozen missions planned through the end of 2026 will involve partnerships with private companies Blue Origin, Astrobotic, and Intuitive Machines.

The initial mission, led by Blue Origin, will see the launch of its Blue Moon Mark 1 (MK1) lunar lander delivering payloads to the Moon’s South Pole. This mission is notable as the first privately funded lunar lander attempt in history. Astrobotic’s Griffin Mission One will follow, carrying what has been described as the largest commercial payload ever delivered to the lunar surface. Intuitive Machines’ third mission will focus on studying Reiner Gamma, a distinctive swirl feature on the Moon, as well as deploying instruments from the European Space Agency and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized that these early missions are part of a broader strategy aimed at returning humans to the Moon and establishing infrastructure to ensure a continuous presence there. “These represent the first of more than a dozen missions we expect to announce through the balance of this year as we return, build the base and never give up the moon again,” Isaacman said, highlighting the agency’s intent to involve international partners and the public throughout the process. To facilitate public engagement, NASA simultaneously launched a dedicated Moon Base website to provide updates on progress and future activities.

The Moon Base development will unfold in three phases: learning and testing, early habitation, and ultimately a long-term human settlement. NASA targets reaching the early habitation phase by early 2029. Carlos Garcia Galan, the program executive overseeing the project, described the envisioned facility as spanning hundreds of square miles and including essential infrastructure such as a power grid and communications networks to support sustained human activity.

While past lunar missions relied heavily on specialized government-built equipment, NASA is now focusing on fostering private sector investment and involvement. As part of this approach, Blue Origin received a $188 million contract to supply Lunar Terrain Vehicles (LTVs) for exploration on the Moon’s surface. The manufacturing contracts for the LTVs were awarded to AstroLab and Lunar Outpost, receiving $219 million and $220 million respectively. Firefly Aerospace has also been selected to deliver drones by 2028 to enhance lunar mapping capabilities and scout potential base sites.

These developments come on the heels of the Artemis II lunar flyby in April. NASA plans to follow with the Artemis III mission next year to test the Orion spacecraft, advancing toward Artemis IV, currently scheduled for 2028, which aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972.