NASA Advances Plans for Permanent Lunar Base Under Artemis Program

NASA is advancing one of the most ambitious projects in human history — building a permanent base on the Moon. As part of the Artemis program, the agency aims to establish a long-term outpost near the lunar south pole, an area rich in frozen water and near-constant sunlight. The base would feature living quarters, power systems, landing pads, and communications hubs designed to support crews for months at a time.

A major challenge is food and life support. NASA scientists are testing hydroponic systems to grow leafy greens and hardy vegetables in lunar habitats, while developing advanced storage and recycling technologies to reduce reliance on Earth resupply missions. Robotic construction, 3-D printing, and lunar regolith will be used to build key structures and farming modules on-site.

Preparatory missions under Artemis are wrapping up by the mid-2020s, with a crewed moon landing targeted for around 2027. Full base development is expected to begin in the early 2030s and continue through the decade. Partnering with private industry and international allies, NASA sees the Moon as a crucial training ground for future Mars missions. Officials say lessons from lunar living — from power systems to food production — will directly support the next frontier of human exploration.