NASA plans to establish a permanent human base in the Shackleton crater near the lunar south pole starting this year [1], [2].
The initiative marks a strategic shift in lunar exploration, prioritizing a fixed surface habitat over orbiting stations to prepare for future crewed missions to Mars [4], [5].
The program will be executed in three phases, beginning with robotic missions in 2026 [3]. These initial missions will lay the groundwork for a sustained human presence, which the agency aims to achieve by 2032 [1].
To realize this vision, NASA is partnering with private aerospace companies, including Blue Origin, Astrobotic, and Lunar Outpost [1], [2]. The estimated total cost of the lunar base program is $20 billion [1]. As part of the development, $400 million has been approved for the creation of autonomous and crewed vehicles [1].
The strategy involves a significant pivot in infrastructure. NASA director Jared Isaacman said plans were made to suspend the Gateway project — a planned lunar-orbiting outpost — to concentrate resources on the surface base [2]. This represents a departure from previous Artemis mission frameworks that integrated the Gateway as a primary hub for Mars-bound expeditions [5].
By focusing on the south pole, NASA targets a region where ice and unique geological features may provide essential resources for long-term survival. The base will serve as a scientific outpost and a testing ground for the technologies required to sustain humans on other planets [4], [5].
“NASA plans to establish a permanent human base in the Shackleton crater”
The decision to prioritize a surface base over the Gateway project suggests a shift toward immediate territorial sustainability and resource extraction on the Moon. By leveraging private partners like Blue Origin and focusing on the south pole's unique environment, the U.S. is accelerating the transition from short-term exploration to permanent habitation, treating the Moon as a critical operational springboard for Mars.
