Imagine a city-sized outpost on the moon—once the realm of science fiction, now edging closer to reality. NASA has announced an ambitious plan to construct such a base within the next six years, a move that promises to reshape our relationship with space.

Nasa’s administrator, Jarred Isaacman, revealed at a press conference on Tuesday that the initial missions for this $20 billion endeavor could commence as soon as this year. His words painted a picture of a bold new frontier, referring to the project as “one of the most ambitious engineering and exploration efforts in human history.”

“America is returning to the moon,” Isaacman proclaimed. “And this time, to stay.” This declaration underscores the permanence and groundbreaking nature of the lunar base initiative.

The plan includes a comprehensive roadmap that lays out a three-stage timeline, with the ultimate goal of establishing a permanent lunar colony by 2032. This endeavor promises to not only push the boundaries of human exploration but also to solidify our presence on the moon in a way that could redefine space exploration for generations to come.

Mr Isaacman revealed a detailed roadmap for the lunar colony, outlining a three–stage timeline working towards establishing a permanent lunar colony by 2032.

Eventually, the base will include multiple buildings covering hundreds of square miles in ‘one of the most demanding and dangerous environments imaginable’.

Describing the endeavour to build a settlement in such inhospitable conditions, Isaacman said the Moon base would be ‘as beautiful as it is hostile’.

He added: ‘What we are embarking upon is extremely challenging. We know so little from what is a combined 80 hours of lunar astronaut EVA time across the Apollo missions half a century ago.’

The base would cover hundreds of square miles in an environment where temperatures can range from more than 480 degrees Fahrenheit to minus –1200 degrees

Stage one of the moon base timeline, dubbed the ‘Learn, Test, Build’ phase, will begin later this year and run until 2029. 

Over the next three years, NASA aims to oversee an increasing number of commercial lunar missions to scout potential landing areas and test new technology.

This new phase of lunar exploration will begin no earlier than this autumn as Jeff Bezos Blue Origin company launches the Blue Moon Mark 1 lander, Endurance.

The lander will touchdown near the moon’s South Pole on the rim of the Shackleton crater, delivering scientific equipment and testing its landing capabilities.

This will be followed in the later months of 2026 as NAS uses Astrobotic’s Griffin lander and Intuitive Machines’ Nova–C Trinity lander to send a rover built by Astrolab.

By the end of this first stage, NASA plans to use a fleet of MoonFall helicopter drones and uncrewed rovers to scout the South Pole region for water and other resources.

From 2029 to 2032, NASA will enter the next phase dubbed ‘Early Habitation’, sending the first human crews to live on the lunar surface.

This phase will see the delivery of up to 60 tons of cargo through as many as 24 landings, building out the nascent moon base’s basic infrastructure.

The base, which will be powered by nuclear and solar energy, is expected to cost more than $20million

The number of launches to the Moon would increase in phase three, from 2032, with the aim of establishing a continuous human presence on the Moon

NASA says this will also include the first nuclear power systems to provide a reliable energy source for the lunar outpost.

Astronauts may even be sent pressurised rovers, allowing them to work out of their space suits for up to 30 days while exploring the South Pole region.

Finally, in 2032, NASA will transition into the final ‘Sustained Human Presence’ phase, establishing a permanent base with routine crew rotations and established infrastructure.

Mr Isaacman said ‘We are moving with the competence and the purpose to accomplish the missions that only NASA is capable of achieving, and we are really just getting started.

‘People are looking up again, believing in big things again and paying attention as America returns to the moon again — and this time to stay,

NASA has been accelerating its lunar program – which is itself a stepping stone to the agency’s ultimate goal of sending crews to live on Mars.

The latest plans come a month after four astronauts on the Artemis II craft achieved record feats during their ten–day mission, notably travelling deeper into space than any human had gone before.

Dr Lori Glaze of NASA’s exploration systems development mission directorate said: ‘The incredible success of the Artemis II mission has taken NASA from proving what is possible to making the extraordinary routine.

The first mission, which will continue until 2028, involves more missions to the Moon and achieving ‘high–rate, reliable surface access’. There will be 21 landings as scientists conduct research and lay the groundwork for the base

The next mission this autumn will be privately funded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’s space company Blue Origin. It will focus on reducing the risk of lunar landing missions

In the second phase between 2029 and 2032, NASA would establish initial sites for the base and install infrastructure to allow longer astronaut stays

‘Moon base will be home base for our Artemis crew and will encompass long–duration stays, expanded robotic and human capabilities and an enduring presence on the lunar surface.’

‘With Moon Base, Artemis astronauts will stay longer, explore farther, and conduct the kinds of science that advance exploration itself, understanding how humans operate off–world, how we build infrastructure, and how we prepare for Mars.’

This comes after NASA unveiled a major restructuring of the agency’s organisational structure to ‘accelerate mission delivery’.

This includes a significant push towards using a wider range of commercial enterprises to provide rockers, landers, and probes for scientific missions. 

On Monday, Blue Origin won the first contract of the project to make lunar terrain vehicles in a deal worth $188 million, which could rise to $270 million. 

Isaacman stressed in the briefing that the goal of the moon base is to encourage a lunar economy as well as simultaneously conducting scientific research and working toward a Mars expedition, CBS News reported. 

‘For those waiting patiently, the grand return is close at hand and we will not slow down,’ he added. ‘We are really just getting started.’  

Authorities in Utah are on high alert as they search for two siblings who are believed to have been kidnapped by their father, who officials have described as being in a state of severe depression. The children are feared to have been taken to Mexico, placing them in immediate peril.

The Saratoga Springs Police Department is actively looking for 46-year-old Dane Stephen Richman and his two young sons, 1-year-old Will Richman and 10-month-old Wesley Richman.

Investigators have revealed that Richman recently resigned from his job amidst financial difficulties and is embroiled in a custody dispute with his wife. Police suspect that the abduction was premeditated, with planning possibly spanning several weeks, according to a report from the Deseret News.

In response to the urgent situation, an Amber Alert was issued over the weekend, highlighting the serious risk to the children and confirming that they were taken by their father.

MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING PARTNER ARRESTED IN MEXICO NEARLY TWO YEARS AFTER FLEEING WITH THEIR TWO CHILDREN

Dane Stephen Richman, 46, allegedly abducted his two sons: 1-year-old Will Richman and 10-month-old Wesley Richman. He is being sought by Utah authorities. (Utah Department of Public Safety)

“THERE IS CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF THE CHILDREN AS THE SUSPECT HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY DEPRESSED, SELLING POSSESSIONS, FACING FINANCIAL STRESS, AND ABANDONED HIS HOME,” the alert states.

Richman was charged Sunday with two counts of custodial interference, a third-degree felony. He picked the children up from their mother in Washington state on May 16 for his scheduled visitation time, the newspaper reported, noting that authorities initially said the abduction occurred in Saratoga Springs.

On Friday, the mother called the Saratoga Springs Police Department after Richman failed to appear at a scheduled deposition hearing.

Richman had apparently emailed his attorney that morning saying he no longer needed her services and wouldn’t be attending the scheduled hearing, according to charging documents cited by the newspaper.

MISSING CONNECTICUT GIRL FOUND ALIVE 25 YEARS AFTER KIDNAPPING WITH HELP FROM DNA TESTING

Dane Stephen Richman, 46, allegedly abducted his two sons: 1-year-old Will Richman and 10-month-old Wesley Richman. He is being sought by Utah authorities, who believe he may have traveled to Mexico, via the southern border. (Utah Department of Public Safety)

Richman’s home appeared to be vacant when police visited, authorities said.

“Given Dane’s financial situation as well as the fact that he appears to have abandoned his house to foreclosure, it seems that Dane has possibly been planning this attempt to kidnap the children several days if not multiple weeks in advance,” investigators wrote in the court documents.

On May 18, Richman’s 2025 Toyota Camry had some service done in Carlsbad, California, about 50 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, authorities said.

Images taken from surveillance cameras identified Richman in Southern California, the report states.

Richman’s 2025 Toyota Camry was in Carlsbad, Calif., May 18, which is roughly 50 miles from the southern border. (Francisco Vega/Getty Images, File)

On Sunday, a warrant was issued for Richman’s arrest.

Police said they are in the process of having the Amber Alert shared throughout Mexico.

Anyone with information on Richman’s whereabouts is urged to call the Utah County Sheriff’s Office at 801-798-5600, or dial 911.

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Comedian Marlon Wayans has come to the defense of his friend and fellow comedian Dave Chappelle, who has faced criticism for his jokes about the transgender community.

In an interview with Variety on Monday, Wayans emphasized his belief in Chappelle’s character, stating, “I wouldn’t associate with Dave if he were full of hate. I don’t keep company with people like that. I know Dave’s heart, and his goal is not to demean anyone.”

Wayans explained that Chappelle is committed to maintaining the essence of comedy. “Dave wants the freedom to tell his jokes. If you’re opposed to comedy itself, he’ll continue to challenge you until you learn to appreciate humor. He’s simply defending his stance as a comedian,” Wayans remarked.

When questioned about his friendship with Chappelle in light of having a transgender child, Wayans expressed that he has no intention of censoring Chappelle’s material. He sees Chappelle’s situation as a battle with those who oppose his comedic approach.

“As a comedian, I respect his journey. As a friend, I respect his journey. And for my child, I respect their journey,” Wayans concluded, highlighting his support for both his friend and his family.

“And as the father of my child, I can appropriate my feelings toward my friend and my feelings toward my child, and how we can put those two things together, and I can explain both sides. I’m between them, so I can explain both sides to each other.”

Wayans revealed that he even attempted to include a cameo for Chappelle in the upcoming “Scary Movie 6.”

“I wrote two really funny scenes for Chappelle and pitched them both. And he was like, ‘Ahhhh,’” Wayans said. “I love Dave, and he’s like a brother, and I hope one day I’ll get that cameo.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Chappelle’s publicist for comment.

In 2021, Chappelle faced backlash from the left for transgender jokes in his Netflix special, “The Closer.” Trans activists urged Netflix to drop the program and a small group of Netflix employees also staged a walkout in protest.

In 2023, he continued to make jokes about transgender people in his special “The Dreamer,” when he recounted visiting Jim Carrey on the set of his 1999 movie, “The Man on the Moon.”

Carrey employed a “method” approach to portraying real-life comedian Andy Kaufman by remaining in character at all times, and Chappelle was told by the crew to address Carrey as “Andy” when he met him.

“I wanted to meet Jim Carrey and I had to pretend this n—a was Andy Kaufman all afternoon. And he was clearly Jim Carrey. I could look at him and I could see he was Jim Carrey,” he remarked.

“Anyway, I say all that to say that’s how trans people make me feel.”

Wayans has also frequently spoken out against cancel culture and encouraged comedians to use off-color jokes despite the threat of backlash.