Space Exploration

[ysabetwordsmith]

NASA Reveals Details of its ‘Moon Base’ Program to Prepare Humanity for Next Chapter of Exploration

Moon Base is the first stage of establishing a semi-permanent human presence on our satellite, and the data gathered during missions I, II, and III will inform the first visit of humans to the Moon since Apollo 11 in 1969.

Both Moon Base I and II are targeted for 2026. The first mission will utilize Blue Origin’s Mark 1 Endurance lander to drop two critical science instruments on the Moon. The first will gather data on how thrusters impact the regolithic Lunar surface, while the Laser Retroreflective Array will help orbiting spacecraft determine a more precise landing location using reflected laser light.

Comments

[dewline]

Hopefully, this goes forward under saner and kinder US management after 2028. I do think the Lunar Gateway project might still be of use to a multinational programme of community-building on the Moon.

[galadhir]

Young me would be very exited about this - although they would also be very disappointed that we weren't already living on the moonbase and on Mars as well.

[erulisse]

That's exciting! So much lunar science and prep for future moon landings. I'm also very interested to follow the eventual landing site selection process.