NASA just threw down the gauntlet to companies: a wish list of everything needed to build a base on the Moon

NASA unveiled “Ignition,” a seven-year blueprint for a permanent lunar base at the Moon’s south pole.

The plan calls for roughly $20 billion in spending, 81 launches, and new infrastructure for crewed permanence on the Moon.

It identifies key technology gaps in areas like lunar communications, robotics, and in-situ resource utilization.

The Moon would serve as a testbed for future Mars missions and a new market for commercial lunar services.