NASA Accelerates Lunar Base Construction, Robots to Pave the Way This Year

NASA is expected to make substantial progress in building a lunar base this year, preparing to send lunar rovers and exploration instruments to the moon via unmanned spacecraft to allow robots to pave the way for future human habitation. In recent years, NASA has been promoting the Artemis program, aiming not only to return astronauts to the lunar surface but also to establish a base on the moon as a forward outpost for future missions to Mars. On the 26th, NASA held a press conference at its Washington headquarters to introduce the unmanned lunar missions scheduled for this year. The last time humans set foot on the moon was in 1972, 54 years ago. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated that the lunar base will be the first outpost for humanity on another celestial body. NASA plans to launch three unmanned lunar missions this year, utilizing unmanned spacecraft from private companies to deliver rovers, instruments, research equipment, and cargo to the moon. These missions will head to the lunar south pole to test landing, mobility, and exploration capabilities, collecting data to pave the way for the 2028 Artemis crewed landing. NASA officials explained the phases of the lunar base project: the first phase, ending in 2029, involves 25 launches and 21 landings to deliver approximately 4 tons of cargo. Between 2029 and 2032, NASA will begin building infrastructure such as power grids, with the goal of long-term human habitation after 2032. NASA announced several contracts with private space companies, including Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin, which will launch an unmanned spacecraft as early as this autumn. Unlike the Apollo missions of half a century ago, which involved short stays, this project uses unmanned spacecraft and rovers to prepare for long-term human activity.