Moon Base Program of NASA |ForumIAS

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News: NASA has invited ISRO to join its Moon Base program during the 9th India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group meeting in Bengaluru.

About Moon Base Program of NASA

Moon Base Programme is part of NASA’s broader Artemis Programme, which seeks to build a permanent lunar outpost near the Moon’s South Pole.
Aim: The program aims to learn how humans can live and work on the Moon and prepare for future exploration from the Moon to Mars.
Key Features:
- The Moon Base program will be built step by step through robotic and human missions using a phased approach.
- Phase One (Now–2029): In this phase, robotic missions will explore the lunar South Pole, demonstrate new technologies, and gather knowledge needed for future development.
  - This phase will also help identify suitable locations, improve mission capabilities, and reduce risks before astronauts arrive.
- Phase Two (2029–2032): It will deploy early power systems, cargo transportation, logistics, and communications to support long-term operations.
- Phase Three (2032 and Beyond): It will establish a permanent lunar outpost with habitats, power, communications, transportation, and other critical capabilities for extended human operations.
- Commercial and Global Participation: The program will combine government efforts, private innovation, and global collaboration.

Artemis: It is a NASA-led Moon exploration programme.
- It established in 2017, to re-establish human presence on the Moon and support future Mars missions.
Artemis I to Artemis IV:
Artemis I: It was an uncrewed test mission in 2022 that successfully tested the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion in lunar orbit.
Artemis II: It will conduct the first crewed test flight of SLS and Orion around the Moon.
Artemis III: It will send humans to explore the region near the lunar South Pole.
- It is scheduled to make the first human landing on the Moon since the Apollo programme, probably by 2028.
Artemis IV: It will introduce the first lunar space station and a more powerful SLS rocket.