Moon

President Trump signed an executive order directing NASA to return astronauts to the Moon by 2028, establish a permanent lunar base by 2030, deploy nuclear power systems on the Moon, and accelerate development of the administration's 'Golden Dome' missile defense program. The order aims to attract at least $50 billion in private investment into US space markets by 2028 and pursue a commercial pathway to replace the International Space Station by 2030.

NASA has awarded Firefly Aerospace $93.3 million to deliver a suite of ten NASA-sponsored science and technology demonstration payloads to the Moon's Crisium basin in 2023. The 'Blue Ghost' lunar lander will operate on-board payloads during transit, orbit, and on the lunar surface for a complete lunar day.

Japan Airlines and lunar exploration company ispace have formalized a partnership to develop transportation systems and infrastructure supporting long-term Moon operations. The agreement, signed November 28, 2025, builds on over a decade of collaboration and aims to establish a "cislunar economy"—a connected Earth-Moon network of services and technology.

Firefly Aerospace has been awarded an approximately $179.6 million NASA contract to deliver and operate six NASA instruments in the Gruithuisen Domes on the Moon's near side in 2028. As part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload (CLPS) initiative, Firefly will utilize its Blue Ghost lunar lander, Elytra Dark orbital vehicle, and a rover from an industry provider to investigate the unique composition of the domes.

Firefly Aerospace has agreed to deliver Fleet Space's Seismic Payload for Interplanetary Discovery (SPIDER) on its second lunar mission in 2026. The Blue Ghost lander will provide power and communications, enabling SPIDER to capture seismic data from the lunar surface.

Firefly Aerospace has selected Volta Space Technologies to host a wireless power receiver on its Blue Ghost Mission 2 lander on the far side of the Moon. The payload will demonstrate technologies for surviving lunar night and supporting a lunar orbit power grid, as part of Volta's planned LightGrid network.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk announced that the company has shifted its focus from Mars to building a self-growing city on the Moon, citing ease of access and speed as reasons for the change. This move comes after years of ambition to return US astronauts to the Moon and establish a foundation for a human mission to Mars.