NASA announced on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, the selection of three commercial companies to deliver four new science missions to the Moon by late 2028. The awards, totaling nearly $600 million, are part of the agency’s Moon Base Program, an initiative designed to establish a sustained human presence on the lunar surface.
New Contracts for Lunar Surface Deliveries
NASA has awarded contracts to three private partners to transport scientific payloads to the Moon. The selections, announced by NASA officials on June 30, 2026, involve Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines. According to [NASA’s official press release](https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-awards-more-moon-base-science-previews-new-opportunities/), the agency is accelerating its mission cadence to build a “proving ground” for lunar operations.
The financial breakdown of these awards reflects a significant investment in commercial lunar infrastructure:
* Astrobotic: Awarded $297.9 million for two separate lunar deliveries.
* Intuitive Machines: Awarded $148.3 million for one delivery.
* Firefly Aerospace: Awarded $144.2 million for one delivery.
Reporting by [Reuters](https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/nasa-awards-astrobotic-firefly-intuitive-185836892.html) confirms the contract values for Firefly and Intuitive Machines, noting that each company is tasked with sending an uncrewed lander to the lunar surface. These missions will utilize updated versions of previously flown lander designs to streamline development and improve mission reliability.
Building the Infrastructure for a Lunar Outpost
The Moon Base Program represents a strategic shift in NASA’s long-term exploration goals. While the Artemis program previously focused on the assembly of the Gateway space station in lunar orbit, [Space.com](https://www.space.com/astronomy/moon/nasa-will-announce-moon-base-news-today-watch-it-live) reports that NASA leadership pivoted in late March 2026 to prioritize the construction of a surface outpost. This base will be situated near the lunar south pole, a region believed to contain water ice that could be converted into life support and rocket fuel.
The initiative is intended to serve as a foundation for future crewed missions to Mars. By establishing a sustained presence, NASA aims to develop the technical skills necessary for deep-space survival.
“These new awards to our commercial partners, totaling nearly $600 million to land more missions on the Moon with science payloads, demonstrate our commitment to accelerating our effort to build a long-term presence on the lunar surface, and give us more opportunity to develop the skills we need to prosper there,” said Lori Glaze, associate administrator for the Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
Future Missions and Technology Demonstrations
Looking beyond the current contract awards, NASA is preparing to integrate more complex technology into its lunar exploration efforts. Agency officials are considering the deployment of the Polar Rover for Observation, Mapping, and In-Situ Exploration (PROMISE), a hybrid rover based on designs from the Mars Perseverance and Curiosity programs.
The agency also plans to solicit proposals for:
* A power and avionics technology demonstration.
* A South Pole optical imager.
* A lunar communication and navigation relay constellation.
“We’re building a proving ground for Moon Base operations,” said Ryan Stephan, NASA’s Moon Base acting director of cargo landers. “Accelerating our Moon mission ordering cadence and launch opportunities enable us to move quickly to learn, iterate, and improve.”
Each of the upcoming deliveries will carry three specific NASA payloads, including the Stereo Camera for Lunar Plume Surface Studies (SCALPSS). This instrument uses stereo photogrammetry to analyze how engine exhaust affects lunar dust, providing critical data for landing heavier spacecraft in the future.
The Road to Artemis 4
The current lunar agenda builds upon the progress of the broader Artemis program. Following the uncrewed Artemis 1 mission in 2022 and the crewed Artemis 2 flight in April 2026, the agency is preparing for Artemis 3. That mission, scheduled for mid-2027, will involve testing docking procedures between the Orion capsule and privately developed landers in Earth orbit.
If these technical milestones are met, NASA anticipates that Artemis 4 will land astronauts near the lunar south pole as early as late 2028. Further details regarding the program’s trajectory were discussed by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and Moon Base program manager Carlos García-Galán during a virtual event held on [June 30, 2026](https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-to-share-latest-moon-base-mission-progress/).
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