NASA Unveils Robotic Missions for Future Lunar Base Development
WHO:
Phys.org - NASA announced the selection of three companies: Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines.
WHAT:
SpaceNews - NASA has selected Astrobotic Technology for two flights of its Peregrine lander, with a total value of $297.9 million.
SpaceNews - Firefly Aerospace received an award for its Blue Ghost lander worth $144.2 million.
SpaceNews - Intuitive Machines won an order for its Nova-C lander worth $148.3 million.
SpaceNews - Each lander will carry an identical set of three payloads: SCALPSS, LETS, and a Laser Retroreflector Array.
SpaceNews - Astrobotic's two landers will go to the Gruithuisen Domes region on the near side of the moon.
SpaceNews - NASA is studying sending a rover called PROMISE to the moon, which is an engineering model of the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers.
SpaceNews - PROMISE would have a nuclear power source, a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG).
SpaceNews - NASA is considering waiting until the middle of 2027 before considering alternative launch options for the Mark 1 lander.
Phys.org - NASA's plans for a lunar base are taking shape despite recent setbacks.
NASA - The agency is seeking innovative ideas from industry partners through a new solicitation appendix under the NextSTEP-3 Omnibus Broad Agency Announcement, specifically for Moon Base Demonstrations.
NBC News Science - NASA has awarded nearly $600 million in new contracts to private companies as part of its efforts to establish a permanent presence on the moon.
NASA - NASA is initiating three uncrewed missions to support the development of a lunar surface base.
NASA - The selected companies will deliver NASA science payloads to the lunar surface as part of the Moon Base Program.
NASA - Four new missions are planned to be conducted by the selected companies.
WHERE:
NASA - The missions will take place on the lunar surface.
WHEN:
NASA - The new missions are scheduled for late 2028.
WHY:
NASA - The missions are part of NASA's efforts to build the first outpost on another celestial world.
HOW:
NASA - NASA's Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate is seeking innovative ideas from industry partners through a new solicitation under the NextSTEP-3 Omnibus Broad Agency Announcement.
(UPDATED July 1, 2026 21:22 UTC)
NASA has awarded Astrobotic Technology a contract worth $297.9 million for two flights of its Peregrine lander, while Firefly Aerospace and Intuitive Machines have also secured significant contracts for their respective landers, valued at $144.2 million and $148.3 million. Each of these landers will carry the same set of three payloads, including SCALPSS, LETS, and a Laser Retroreflector Array, with Astrobotic's missions targeting the Gruithuisen Domes region on the moon's near side. Additionally, NASA is exploring the possibility of sending a rover called PROMISE, which would utilize a nuclear power source, and is considering waiting until the middle of 2027 to evaluate alternative launch options for the Mark 1 lander.
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(UPDATED July 1, 2026 19:34 UTC)
NASA is moving forward with its plans for a lunar base, even in the face of recent challenges. The agency is actively seeking innovative ideas from industry partners through a new solicitation appendix under the NextSTEP-3 Omnibus Broad Agency Announcement, focusing on Moon Base Demonstrations. This initiative aims to gather creative solutions that will help turn the vision of a lunar base into reality.
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(UPDATED July 1, 2026 10:15 UTC)
NASA has awarded nearly $600 million in new contracts to private companies as part of its efforts to establish a permanent presence on the moon. This significant investment marks a major step forward in the agency's lunar exploration plans. The contracts are part of a broader initiative to enhance collaboration with the private sector in space exploration.
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(UPDATED July 1, 2026 08:19 UTC)
NASA has announced the selection of three companies—Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines—to support the development of a lunar surface base through three uncrewed missions. These companies will deliver NASA science payloads as part of the Moon Base Program, with four new missions scheduled to take place on the lunar surface in late 2028. This initiative is part of NASA's broader efforts to establish the first outpost on another celestial world, and the agency is also seeking innovative ideas from industry partners through a new solicitation.