2026-03-25 01:57 UTC
#NASA gives a thumbs-up to building a #moon base within a decade and sending a nuclear-powered spacecraft to #Mars by 2028 - while hitting the pause button on commercial space stations and a moon-orbiting outpost. Some say the plan is essential to beat China, while others wonder whether it's realistic or wise. https://cosmiclog.com/2026/03/24/nasa-pivots-to-moon-base-and-nuclear-mars-mission/ #Space #Ignition #Gateway
Replies (2)
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@michaelgemar@cosocial.ca 2026-03-25 02:05
@alanboyle@mastodon.social I’m glad they’ve ditched Gateway, and that it sounds like they’re downplaying SLS. A nuclear-electric craft seems *really* ambitious (and maybe just an excuse to redeploy some Gateway hardware). The moon base commitment is what they should have done originally, although we’ll see what the execution is. I don’t understand the notion of adding an element to ISS to promote commercial stations.
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@WiredForFlight@mastodon.social 2026-03-25 18:17
@alanboyle@mastodon.social This is the type of being ambitious that I've hoped from NASA for sometime. I dont know enough about Gateway to say good/bad but the idea of the new focus on a Moon base and the nuclear Mars mission are big positive steps.