Building the Moon Base: NASA Stories at the Ion

NASA is preparing to return astronauts to the lunar surface for longer stays and increasingly complex operations, requiring new ideas, advanced technologies, and expertise across many fields. During NASA Stories at the Ion on July 30, Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA's Moon Base Program, presented "Building the Moon Base: Challenges and Opportunities at the Lunar South Pole," discussing the work required to establish a sustained human presence at the Moon. The event, part of a recurring series hosted by NASA's Johnson Space Center with Rice University and the Ion, connects agency experts with entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and industry leaders. Laura Neder, head of platform for the Rice Alliance and Ion District, introduced Monte Goforth, acting director of Business Development and Technology Integration, who delivered opening remarks on the value of sharing NASA's work beyond the agency.

Bhakta outlined NASA's step-by-step approach to Moon Base development. Early robotic missions and technology demonstrations will gather data about the lunar environment, test systems, and reduce risks before expanding infrastructure and human operations. "This is probably going to be the most challenging endeavor NASA has ever undertaken," Bhakta said, emphasizing the need for collaboration with commercial and international partners to develop solutions for extreme environmental conditions. Unlike the Apollo landing sites, areas near the lunar South Pole contain steep slopes, deep craters, and lighting conditions that change throughout the year. The Sun remains low on the horizon, creating shifting shadows that can complicate navigation and leave solar panels without sunlight for extended periods, increasing the need for energy storage and other power sources.

Rugged terrain could also block line of sight to Earth, so NASA will need communications infrastructure to relay signals across the lunar South Pole. Bhakta explained that Moon Base may not be a single cluster of connected structures; terrain, lighting, power, and landing constraints could require habitats and other systems to be distributed across the surface. Lunar regolith, or Moon dust, remains one of the greatest challenges: its sharp, clingy nature and electrostatic properties could damage equipment and spacesuits while posing health risks to astronauts.