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NASA to pay three private companies $590 million for permanent Moon base
The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will pay a total of $590 million to Astrobotic, Firefly and Intuitive Machines as part of the first phase of its plan to establish a permanent base on the lunar surface. The first phase is expected to cost up to $10 billion by 2028, while the total project cost is projected to reach $30 billion.
NASA has signed agreements with three private companies towards its goal of establishing a permanent settlement on the lunar surface. At a press conference, it was announced that Astrobotic, Firefly and Intuitive Machines will be paid a total of $590 million for scientific equipment and cargo transportation.
First phase to continue until 2028
Carlos Garcia-Galan, executive director of the Moon base program, stated that these agreements are part of the "first phase." This phase is planned to continue until 2028 and be completed with a budget of $10 billion. The phase aims to deliver landers, rockets, exploration rovers and other logistical elements to the Moon.
In later phases covering the post-2030 period, the construction of the first pressurized living modules and the installation of power generators on the lunar surface are planned.
Blue Origin explosion pressures schedule
Operational disruptions with private partners were also addressed. An unmanned New Glenn rocket belonging to American businessman Jeff Bezos' space company Blue Origin exploded on the launch pad in May. It was stated that this incident jeopardized the launch schedule of the large robotic lunar lander Blue Moon, which the company planned to send to the Moon's south pole this year.
NASA official Garcia-Galan said they are exploring alternative options to launch Blue Moon on another carrier rocket if necessary. The agency's head, Jared Isaacman, had previously emphasized in a statement that they would actively support their private partners in overcoming obstacles and would not sit idly by.
$30 billion budget and political support
The total cost of the massive project is expected to reach $30 billion. This amount constitutes a critical part of the Artemis program, which has spent $100 billion so far. Within the scope of the program, a test flight to the Moon was conducted in April.
The US Congress fully supports the project as it aims to maintain technological superiority in the ongoing space race with China. Meanwhile, although the Trump administration has proposed cutting NASA's overall science budget by approximately 50 percent, it aims to increase the funds allocated for the Moon base in order to "establish US dominance."
Gateway station shelved
As part of effectively using financial resources, NASA made a surprise decision in March to postpone the Gateway space station project planned to be built in lunar orbit. The agency justified this by stating that directing resources directly to facilities on the lunar surface rather than orbital infrastructure would be more efficient.
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