NASA pivots from orbital gateway to a surface-based Moon base

NASA announced a shift to a surface-focused Moon base built in three phases by 2036, scrapping the Lunar Gateway in favor of direct surface infrastructure. The plan relies on expanded Commercial Lunar Payload Services, two lunar communications satellite networks, and a mix of nuclear and solar power, rovers, and habitats to enable long-term presence and in-situ manufacturing. Each phase is projected at about $10 billion, with milestones including 21 landings by 2028, 27 landings in 2029–2032, and 28 landings in 2032–2036, culminating in habitats for four astronauts and a robust lunar industrial ecosystem.