A US Senate committee has directed Nasa to begin work on a Moon base “as soon as is practicable”. Under legislation advanced by the Senate lawmakers, the outpost would serve as a science laboratory and proving ground, where astronauts would develop the capabilities to live and work beyond Earth’s orbit.
A recent executive order issued by the White House directs Nasa to establish the initial elements of a permanent Moon base by 2030.
Since 2017, Artemis has been the Nasa-led programme working towards a sustained human presence on the Moon. This year, it will send astronauts around the Moon for the first time in more than half a century. And following a shake-up of Artemis announced in late February, the space agency plans to greatly increase the frequency of Artemis missions and return humans to the lunar surface in 2028.
