NASA Awards Nearly $1 Billion in Moon Base Contracts to Astrolab, Lunar Outpost, and Blue Origin
Summary: NASA announced nearly $1 billion in initial Moon Base contracts on May 26, 2026, during a press conference at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. Astrolab and Lunar Outpost each received approximately $220 million contracts to complete their lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) designs and deliver them to the lunar surface. Blue Origin was awarded a contract worth approximately $234 million per LTV delivered, using its Blue Moon Mark 1 lander. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said missions would begin in the back half of 2026, with the first phase extending through 2029, establishing a "hundreds of square miles" human/robotic hybrid base at the lunar south pole.