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Nasa reveals robotic Moon missions to pave way for lunar base
The US space agency has outlined plans to deploy robotic landers, hopping drones, and exploration vehicles to the Moon as part of its strategy to establish a permanent lunar outpost by 2029. The initiative, part of the Ignition Moon Base programme, involves partnerships with private companies, including Blue Origin, founded by Amazon's Jeff Bezos.
Race against China intensifies pressure on Nasa
The US aims to return astronauts to the Moon before President Donald Trump's term ends in 2029, but faces stiff competition from China, which plans to land humans on the lunar surface by 2030. Beijing recently launched the Shenzhou-23 mission, sending a crew to its Tiangong space station, further accelerating its lunar ambitions.
Nasa administrator Jared Isaacman stated on Tuesday that the US will "never give up the Moon again," framing the base as a stepping stone for scientific research, resource mining, and future missions to Mars. However, experts question the feasibility of Nasa's timeline, citing technical setbacks and delays.
"It would not surprise me at all if China gets there first," said Dr. Simeon Barber, a lunar scientist at the Open University, pointing to challenges in developing a reliable human landing system.
Robotic fleet to scout Moon's terrain before human arrival
Before astronauts return, Nasa plans to send robotic landers and drones to map the Moon's rugged surface. The agency awarded contracts to Blue Origin, Intuitive Machines, and Astrobotic to build these machines, which will deliver scientific instruments, including high-resolution cameras and laser-guided landing tools.
Blue Origin's Endurance lander is designed for precise landings and autonomous navigation, while Astrobotic's Griffin-1 will target Nobile Crater near the lunar South Pole. The robotic missions, set to run until 2029, will involve 25 launches and deliver 4 metric tonnes of cargo, according to Carlos García-Galán, a Nasa Moon Base programme executive.
Power plants and long-range rovers planned for 2032
Nasa's long-term vision includes constructing nuclear and solar power facilities on the Moon, with the goal of enabling "semi-permanent" human habitation by 2032. Rovers will allow astronauts to traverse the Moon's rocky terrain, while frozen water at the South Pole could be converted into drinking water and oxygen.
However, the agency's plans hinge on the development of a reliable spacecraft to transport humans. SpaceX's Starship Human Landing System, contracted by Nasa, has faced repeated delays, raising concerns about the programme's timeline.
"The limiting step is getting the astronauts down onto the surface," Barber noted, suggesting political motivations may be driving Nasa's ambitious announcements.
Skepticism surrounds Nasa's aggressive timeline
While Nasa's Artemis II mission successfully sent four astronauts around the Moon in April, experts remain doubtful about the agency's ability to meet its 2029 target. The competition with China, combined with technical hurdles, has placed Nasa under pressure to demonstrate progress in the new space race.
