NASA's Artemis Program: Building a Lunar Base Camp at the South Pole by 2030

NASA's Artemis program is focused on establishing a sustainable lunar base camp at the Moon's South Pole by the end of the decade. This initiative involves constructing a lunar cabin, deploying rovers, and potentially a mobile habitat to enable astronauts to reside on the lunar surface for extended periods, possibly up to two months. The South Pole is of particular interest due to the potential presence of water ice and other valuable mineral resources. Early Artemis missions will rely on the human landing system for accommodation. However, NASA plans to establish a fixed habitat capable of housing up to four astronauts. To facilitate lunar exploration, NASA is developing advanced spacesuits designed for enhanced mobility and functionality. Transportation solutions include a lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) and a pressurized rover for longer journeys. While the near-constant sunlight at the South Pole offers opportunities for solar power generation, NASA is also exploring the development of a nuclear fission surface power unit to ensure a continuous and reliable energy supply. The Artemis Base Camp aims to demonstrate new technologies, utilize lunar resources and establish sustainable power solutions.