In a significant step forward for lunar exploration, NASA has announced new contracts for robotic landers and a surprising new mission involving a repurposed Mars rover. The agency’s latest updates, shared on June 30, highlight its strategic approach to establishing a permanent human outpost on the moon.
The second monthly update on NASA’s moon base plans introduced Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines as key players. These companies will provide four robotic landers to deliver scientific payloads to the lunar surface, supporting NASA’s efforts to test and expand the technologies necessary for a sustainable human presence on the moon.
NASA’s Strategic Approach to Lunar Exploration
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized the agency’s methodical approach, drawing parallels to the successful strategies of the 1960s. ‘We didn’t just jump right to Apollo 11,’ Isaacman noted during the livestreamed update. This phased approach aims to ensure the success of future crewed missions to the moon.
One of the most surprising announcements was the potential repurposing of an engineering development model, originally built to mirror NASA’s Perseverance and Curiosity rovers on Mars. Quoting Yoda from ‘Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,’ Isaacman revealed, ‘There is another,’ hinting at the existence of a test rover that could be sent on a mission of its own.
The PROMISE Rover: A New Mission to the Moon
The test rover, named PROMISE (Polar Rover for Observation, Mapping, and In-Situ Exploration), was developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California. Initially used as a test platform for commands and fixes before they were sent to Perseverance and Curiosity, PROMISE is now being considered for a lunar mission.
Despite the potential loss of an Earth-based testbed for the active Mars rovers, Isaacman believes the benefits outweigh the costs. ‘We’ve had years now of experience operating the two rovers on the surface of Mars, and we’ve got this hardware that the taxpayers have invested a lot in,’ he explained. With some refurbishment, PROMISE could significantly advance NASA’s lunar plans.
Powered by a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG), PROMISE would not require sunlight to operate, making it ideal for the moon’s south pole. This region is thought to harbor abundant water ice and presents a relatively complex lighting environment, making it a prime location for NASA’s Artemis base.
Commercial Lunar Payload Services: Expanding NASA’s Lunar Presence
Through 2029, NASA plans to launch up to 20 missions as part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. These missions will support the first phase of the agency’s moon base plans, with the recently announced landers being among the first in the lineup.
Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 1 cargo lander was already expected this year, slated to launch on the company’s New Glenn rocket. However, an engine test anomaly last month has complicated the timeline. Despite this setback, Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp has expressed confidence in the rocket’s future success.
Two lunar deliveries were awarded to Astrobotic’s Griffin 1 lander, one of which will transport Astrolab’s FLIP rover to the lunar surface in the second half of 2026. Contracts to Firefly and Intuitive Machines call for the use of their Blue Ghost and Nova C landers, respectively, on CLPS missions in the coming years.
Scientific Payloads and Lunar Exploration
Each CLPS lander mission will carry at least three NASA payloads. The Stereo Camera for Lunar Plume Surface Studies (SCALPSS) array will study lander engine exhaust plume effects on lunar dust, helping to predict landing requirements and prevent erosion and dangerous ejecta. A Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA) will test landers’ ability to determine positioning and navigate using lasers and reflectors, while a Linear Energy Transfer Spectrometer (LETS) will measure radiation in the space around the moon and different areas on its surface.
Carlos Garcia-Golan, NASA’s Moon Base program manager, emphasized the importance of these missions. ‘We know a lot about the moon, some of the south pole, but nothing like what we need to learn before we send humans there and we actually build a moon base,’ he said during the event. Understanding the lunar environment and the places where humans will go is critical for the success of NASA’s moon base plans.
Garcia-Golan also expressed enthusiasm for the PROMISE moon plan, noting that it embodies the spirit of NASA’s motto, ‘Dare mighty things.’ ‘We are in the business of the near impossible, so why not?’ he said, highlighting the agency’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of exploration.
