What Happened
Space Agency Pushes Toward Permanent Moon Base
NASA has announced a $10 billion contract for a lunar cargo lander network as part of its efforts to establish a permanent moon base. The contract, which is part of the second phase of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS), will be competed for by several companies, including SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Northrop Grumman Space Systems. The initiative aims to support the delivery of NASA technology and infrastructure to the moon over the course of a 10-year framework. According to The Jerusalem Post, NASA’s goal is to build a long-term base on the moon, with several other projects and developments in the works, including a nuclear-powered moon rover and a Mini-Communications and Solar Tower.