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NASA is taking another major step toward a permanent Moon base with four new commercial missions that will test technology, deliver science, and help prepare for humanity’s future beyond Earth.
NASA has selected three commercial space companies to carry out four new lunar missions in late 2028 through the agency’s Moon Base Program. Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines will transport NASA science instruments to the Moon as the agency works toward establishing the first outpost on another celestial body.
“These new awards to our commercial partners, totaling nearly $600 million to land more missions on the Moon with science payloads, demonstrate our commitment to accelerating our effort to build a long-term presence on the lunar surface, and give us more opportunity to develop the skills we need to prosper there,” said Lori Glaze, associate administrator for the Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
Astrobotic will receive a combined $297.9 million for two lunar deliveries. Firefly Aerospace was awarded $144.2 million for one delivery, while Intuitive Machines will receive $148.3 million for another.
The missions are part of NASA’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative, which serves as a central component of the Moon Base effort. Each company will use an upgraded version of a lander design that has already flown, helping NASA increase the frequency of its lunar missions.
“We’re building a proving ground for Moon Base operations,” said Ryan Stephan, NASA’s Moon Base acting director of cargo landers. “Accelerating our Moon mission ordering cadence and launch opportunities enable us to move quickly to learn, iterate, and improve.”
