NASA has selected three commercial space companies to fly four new lunar missions in late 2028, marking another major step in the agency’s efforts to establish a permanent human presence on the moon. Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines will deliver scientific equipment to the moon as part of NASA’s growing Lunar Base Program, which aims to build the first long-term outposts on another world.
“New awards to our commercial partners totaling nearly $600 million to land more missions to the lunar surface with scientific payloads demonstrate our commitment to accelerating efforts to build a long-term presence on the lunar surface and give us more opportunities to develop the skills needed to succeed there,” said Rory Glaze, associate administrator for the Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
Approximately $600 million earned for four lunar exploration missions
The total value of the contract for the three companies is approximately $600 million. Astrobotic received $297.9 million to complete two deliveries, while Firefly Aerospace received $144.2 million and Intuitive Machines received $148.3 million each for one mission.
All four flights will be conducted under NASA’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative, which serves as the lunar base’s critical transportation system. The companies will fly upgraded versions of landers already used in previous missions, allowing NASA to increase the pace of lunar exploration.
“We are building a test site for lunar base operations,” said Ryan Stephan, NASA’s acting director for lunar base cargo landers. “By accelerating our lunar mission sequence and launch opportunities, we will be able to move quickly to learn, iterate, and improve.”
New opportunities for developing a lunar base
NASA currently plans 17 lunar deliveries through multiple commercial providers. In addition to the new mission awards, the agency announced several additional opportunities for U.S. industry to contribute to future lunar base infrastructure.
One proposal under consideration is to send PROMISE (Polar Observation, Mapping, and Field Exploration Rover) to the Moon. This vehicle is a hybrid engineering development version of the Mars Perseverance and Curiosity rovers. If approved, PROMISE will study both the moon’s surface and subsurface, searching for useful resources that can support future exploration.
NASA also plans to seek proposals for an additional lunar lander to carry power and avionics technology demonstrations, another collection of scientific instruments, and an optical imager for the Antarctic. The agency will also issue a public call for lunar base technology demonstrations and begin pursuing a lunar communications and navigation relay constellation to improve communications between the Moon and Earth’s infrastructure.
Building infrastructure for future lunar exploration
The award, announced June 30, is aimed at strengthening the infrastructure needed for continued operations on the lunar surface. The companies will manage procurement activities, evaluate comparable previous lunar landers, and apply lessons learned to improve mission reliability.
Each mission carries the same three NASA science payloads, allowing researchers to collect comparable measurements from multiple landing sites.
SCALPSS will study lunar dust during landing
The Stereo Camera for Lunar Plume Surface Studies (SCALPSS) consists of four cameras that use stereo photogrammetry to create detailed 3D images of how the lander’s engine exhaust disturbs lunar dust during descent.
Scientists hope to improve computer models that predict dust erosion and debris movement by collecting observations from different landers, engine types, propellants, and landing sites. This information will become increasingly important as larger spacecraft and heavier equipment begin landing closer to each other on the lunar surface.
Laser retroreflectors improve lunar navigation
A laser retroreflector array (LRA) is a passive navigation device that reflects a laser beam from an orbiting spacecraft or lander, allowing its position to be more precisely determined.
Each cookie-sized array contains eight quartz corner cube prisms mounted inside a domed aluminum frame. Because it requires no power or maintenance, the device can be left on the lunar surface as a permanent location marker. Similar arrays have already flown on previous CLPS missions and the International Lunar Module, and NASA plans to expand this network over time.
Radiation monitors will help protect future astronauts
The Linear Energy Transfer Spectrometer (LETS) measures the lunar radiation environment at various landing sites and during various approaches to the lunar surface.
The instrument is built using proven hardware and utilizes a compact silicon detector to measure the energy carried by incoming cosmic radiation. This data will help scientists better understand both the intensity and type of radiation astronauts may encounter, supporting safer spacecraft designs and future long-duration missions.
NASA is also evaluating whether these landers can carry additional payloads beyond the three standard scientific instruments.
“By flying the same science instruments on multiple landers, we will be able to better understand potential hazards during landings and build a global network of environmental data and location markers on the lunar surface,” said Joel Kearns, NASA’s deputy assistant administrator for exploration in the Science Mission Directorate. “It’s similar to having weather stations in different locations around the globe. These three payloads are flight-proven, and their data is essential to supporting safe human exploration of the lunar surface.”
Preparing for a permanent moon base and future Mars missions
NASA continues to expand its lunar base in a long-term effort focused on establishing a sustained human presence on the moon while supporting scientific research and commercial activities.
As part of the Golden Age of Innovation and Exploration, the agency plans to send astronauts on increasingly ambitious lunar missions that will advance scientific discoveries, create economic opportunities, and help prepare for the first manned mission to Mars.
