NASA has unveiled plans to establish a “village” on the Moon to support long-term human habitation. Administrator Sean Duffy made this announcement at the International Aeronautical Congress in Sydney, Australia, stating that a settlement could be established within a decade. The event was attended by top officials from space agencies of the USA, China, Japan, India, Europe, and Canada.
During the congress, Mr. Duffy emphasized that the US aims for peaceful space exploration and the establishment of a sustainable human presence on the Moon. He outlined NASA’s goal of creating a village, not just an outpost, on the lunar surface, potentially powered by nuclear energy.
In a recent direction, Mr. Duffy highlighted NASA’s accelerated plans to construct a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030, aligning with US ambitions for a permanent human settlement on the Moon. He also mentioned NASA’s progress towards Mars exploration, aiming to have humans set foot on Mars soon.
Various countries, including the US, China, Russia, India, and Japan, are in competition to explore and potentially establish human colonies on the Moon. Mr. Duffy stressed the importance of advancing technology quickly to support future lunar and Martian missions, as well as enhancing national space security.
NASA’s recent announcement included plans for sending astronauts on a lunar mission around the Moon, which could pave the way for future Mars missions. The agency’s Artemis II mission is set to send four astronauts around the Moon next year in preparation for crewed lunar surface missions and eventual Martian expeditions.
The Artemis program, aiming for a long-term human presence on the Moon, is progressing rapidly, with NASA looking to bring forward the launch from April to February, potentially landing on the Moon as early as 2027. The mission will involve testing spacecraft and systems critical for future Moon landings.
Key NASA officials, including Lakiesha Hawkins and Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming mission, emphasizing the historical significance and prioritizing safety in all operations. The Space Launch System, the rocket designated for carrying astronauts, is nearly ready for launch, pending final preparations and tests.
