NASA announces 3 uncrewed missions to moon this year to prepare to build a base
6 hours ago
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- #NASA
- #lunar exploration
- NASA announced three uncrewed lunar missions (Moon Base 1, 2, 3) set for launch by end of 2024 to scout locations, gather data, test tech, and prepare for astronaut return.
- Moon Base 1 involves Blue Origin's lunar lander, marking the first privately funded lunar lander mission; Moon Base 2 uses Astrobotic's lander for cargo and a rover; Moon Base 3 focuses on studying 'lunar swirls' and includes international payloads.
- These missions are part of Phase 1 (through 2029) of NASA's moon base plan, with 25 launches and 4 metric tons of cargo planned; Phase 2 (2029-2032) aims for semipermanent habitats, and Phase 3 (from 2032) targets a sustained presence over hundreds of square miles.
- NASA awarded contracts to private companies: Astrolab and Lunar Outpost each received $220 million for autonomous moon rovers, and Firefly Aerospace won $75 million for drones to explore the lunar south pole.
- The moon base effort, with a $20 billion investment over seven years, is tied to the Artemis program, aiming to land astronauts on the moon by 2028 and develop skills for future Mars missions.