Artemis moon base will cover ‘hundreds of square miles’ with hopping drones and new lunar rovers, NASA says | Space
3 min read
Specifically, NASA plans to build a huge moon base covering hundreds of square miles. Moreover, they will use special hopping drones to explore the area. Additionally, new lunar rovers will carry astronauts around the site.
Crucially, this base will be near the south pole. Importantly, this area may have a lot of water ice. Consequently, finding and using this resource is a key goal. Essentially, the plan is to build a permanent human home on the moon.
| Company | Role & Technology | Contract & Mission Details |
|---|---|---|
| Firefly Aerospace | MoonFall hopping drones — scouting the lunar south pole and marking the base perimeter | $75M contract; first batch of 3–4 drones launching in 2028 on a Firefly-built lander |
| Astrolab | Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) — large rover for astronaut surface exploration, also capable of autonomous operation | $219M contract; rover to land before crewed missions and be remotely controlled from Earth |
| Lunar Outpost | Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) — second crew-rated rover with autonomous capabilities (Pegasus program) | $220M contract; delivery targeted before Artemis 4 near the lunar south pole in late 2028 |
| Blue Origin | Blue Moon lander — delivering both LTVs to the surface; also developing a crewed variant for Artemis 3/4 | $234M contract per LTV delivery mission; crewed Artemis 3 docking test targeted mid-2027 |
Artemis Moon Base Expands Vastly
Notably, NASA plans a huge Artemis base covering hundreds of square miles. Specifically, they will use hopping MoonFall drones to map the area. Additionally, new lunar rovers will carry people and gear. Moreover, the site is near the lunar south pole for water ice. Furthermore, this base helps everyone explore and live on the moon safely.
Establishing a Permanent Lunar Presence
“We envision the moon base to be hundreds of square miles, with different assets all building up to the objective of permanent lunar presence on the moon.”
Ultimately, NASA’s plan for a sprawling lunar base marks a bold step in space exploration. Therefore, the use of hopping drones and new rovers will help people explore the moon’s south pole safely. Thus, this shared effort brings us closer to a lasting human presence on another world.
Consequently, new partnerships with companies like Astrolab and Lunar Outpost show the power of teamwork. As a result, these tools and vehicles can serve both science and daily needs for all who visit. In summary, the Artemis moon base could open new doors for discovery and inspire people everywhere.
