SPACE ยท 1 min read
The Systems NASA Plans for a Moon Base
NASA describes vehicles and infrastructure for sustained lunar exploration. Our earlier report of 300 resident researchers was unsupported.
By Tara Patel
Correction, October 18, 2026: We previously reported that Lunar Base Alpha housed 300 permanent researchers and used a fusion reactor. The article provided no evidence for those claims, and we have withdrawn them.
NASA's Moon Base systems overview describes plans for the equipment needed to support longer stays on the lunar surface. Its first development phase includes crewed and uncrewed Lunar Terrain Vehicles.
Moving and living on the surface
The overview describes how transportation and temporary habitat capabilities can support crews working for longer periods. These are development plans for sustained exploration.
Read NASA's planning documents for the proposed systems and their intended roles. Our original article should not be treated as evidence that a permanently occupied research base with the stated population and power supply exists.