NASA has announced plans to establish a permanent lunar base by 2032, marking a significant step in the United States’ efforts to maintain a presence on the moon amid growing competition from China. The initiative, with an estimated budget of £15 billion, aims to develop a base powered by both nuclear and solar energy at the moon’s south pole.

The agency intends to begin by deploying robotic landers and hopping drones to survey and map the lunar terrain, providing critical data ahead of human missions. Blue Origin, the aerospace company led by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is among several contractors selected to develop these robotic systems. Alongside exploration vehicles capable of transporting astronauts, the equipment will also support communications and scientific research on the lunar surface.

Following the robotic reconnaissance, NASA plans to construct power generation sites using nuclear and solar technologies. The ultimate goal is to create livable “semi-permanent” habitats that can sustain human activity on the moon. This phased approach reflects a vision to establish a long-term American presence beyond Earth.

The timeline is aligned with broader political goals, as the United States seeks to return astronauts to the moon before the end of President Donald Trump’s term in 2029. NASA representative Jared Isaacman emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative, stating that it is designed to ensure the U.S. “never give up the moon again.”

The program underscores a renewed focus on lunar exploration as part of a wider space race involving major global powers. By combining advanced robotics, renewable energy, and human habitation, the United States aims to solidify its leadership in space exploration over the next decade.