NASA expands lunar base program with new contracts for cargo transport, nuclear rover and infrastructure.
Eight companies, including SpaceX, Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin, have been selected for supply missions to the moon in a decade worth up to $10 billion. NASA is targeting a late 2028 launch for PROMIS, a nuclear-powered six-wheeled rover designed to explore the moon's south pole, map subsurface resources and inspect ice deposits. Blue Origin received a base contract of 94 million dollars, with an additional option of 140 million dollars for its supply.
Six launch and orbital transport orders worth approximately $1.3 billion were awarded to Arrow Space & Technology, Blue Origin and Impulse Space. The missions will test lunar navigation, communications, robotic exploration and cargo delivery. SpaceX will launch lunar communications satellites aboard a Starship in 2028.
NASA has also awarded contracts to Honeybee Robotics, Redwire and Yank Technologies for solar power systems, energy storage and wireless power transmission for the planned solar power and communications tower on the moon.