NASA unveils plans for base on the moon

Added: 2026-06-02

[00:00:00]Take a look at NASA's vision of a future moon base, massive, potentially hundreds of square miles on the lunar surface, complete with astronaut living quarters, lunar rovers, and power stations with the ultimate goal of heading to Mars.

[00:00:16]And we want to be in an environment where we can learn the skills so that astronauts can go and plant the stars and stripes on Mars someday. Splashdown confirmed. NASA's moon base plans come just 6 weeks after the Artemis 2 mission that sent astronauts around the moon for the first time in 50 years. NASA hopes to land Artemis 4 astronauts on the moon in 2028.

[00:00:40]Building a moon base will come in three phases starting this year, eventually using drones and rovers to scout the best landing sites near the South Pole.

[00:00:50]In 2029, they'll begin assembling the moon base including solar and nuclear power systems. Then in 2032, the first astronauts will begin living and working on the moon. Artemis astronauts will stay longer, explore farther, and conduct the kinds of science that advances exploration itself. With China also aiming to build a lunar base, NASA plans to establish a perimeter around the American base.

[00:01:14]It's an ambitious timeline and NASA will need to learn and react fast and mitigate the risks including from long-term radiation exposure and micrometeorites that shower the moon. Tom.

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