{"id":505139,"date":"2026-08-12T00:16:45","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T14:16:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=1036116"},"modified":"2026-08-12T00:16:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T14:16:45","slug":"building-the-moon-base-nasa-stories-at-the-ion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=505139","title":{"rendered":"Building\u00a0the\u00a0Moon Base: NASA Stories at the Ion\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBuilding\u00a0the\u00a0Moon Base: NASA Stories at the Ion\u00a0\u00a0\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA\u2019s Moon Base Program, gives a presentation during NASA Stories at the Ion in Houston on July 30, 2026. <\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNASA\/Sumer Loggins<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA\u2019s Moon Base Program, gives a presentation during NASA Stories at the Ion in Houston on July 30, 2026. <\/div>\n
NASA\/Sumer Loggins<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

As NASA prepares to return astronauts to the lunar surface for longer stays and increasingly complex operations, building the Moon Base<\/a> will require new ideas, advanced technologies, and expertise across many fields. <\/p>\n

During NASA Stories at the Ion on July 30, Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA\u2019s Moon Base Program, presented \u201cBuilding the Moon Base: Challenges and Opportunities at the Lunar South Pole.\u201d He discussed the work required to establish a sustained human presence at the Moon. <\/p>\n

Through its growing partnership with Rice University and the Ion, NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston hosts recurring talks connecting agency experts with entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and industry leaders. The series gives Houston\u2019s innovation community a closer look at the people and ideas shaping the future of exploration.  <\/p>\n

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Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA\u2019s Moon Base\u00a0Program,\u00a0presents during NASA Stories at the Ion. At left is Laura Neder, head of platform for the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and the Ion District.\u00a0<\/div>\n
NASA\/Sumer Loggins<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Laura Neder, head of platform for the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and the Ion District, welcomed attendees and introduced Monte Goforth, acting director of Business Development and Technology Integration at Johnson. Goforth delivered opening remarks on the value of sharing NASA\u2019s work beyond the agency and bringing people together to support future exploration before introducing Bhakta. <\/p>\n

Bhakta outlined how NASA is working toward long-duration human exploration of the lunar South Pole through the agency\u2019s Moon Base Program. <\/p>\n

As part of that effort, NASA is taking a step-by-step approach to Moon Base development. Early robotic missions and technology demonstrations will help NASA gather data about the lunar environment, test systems, and reduce risks before expanding infrastructure and human operations.  <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is probably going to be the most challenging endeavor NASA has ever undertaken,\u201d Bhakta said.  <\/p>\n

Meeting that challenge will require collaboration between NASA and its commercial and international partners to develop solutions for operating in extreme environmental conditions.  <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

Because of the region\u2019s rugged terrain, crews, rovers, and other surface systems may not always have a clear line of sight to Earth. NASA will need communications infrastructure to relay signals across the lunar South Pole. <\/p>\n

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 lunar surface. <\/p>\n

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Attendees listen as Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA\u2019s Moon Base Program, discusses the challenges of establishing a sustained human presence at the Moon. <\/div>\n
NASA\/Sumer Loggins<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Lunar regolith, or Moon dust, remains one of the greatest challenges. Without mitigation, the sharp and clingy substance could damage equipment and spacesuits while posing health risks to astronauts. Its electrostatic properties can also change depending on lighting and environmental conditions. <\/p>\n

Understanding how lunar regolith behaves will be essential to ensuring crews can safely live and work on the lunar surface. <\/p>\n

Some permanently shadowed regions near the lunar South Pole may not have received direct sunlight for billions of years and may contain water ice and other volatile materials. These resources could support future exploration, but using them will require new mobility, power, and processing systems. <\/p>\n

The Moon will also serve as a proving ground for missions farther into the solar system. Operating on the lunar surface will help NASA learn how crews, equipment, and infrastructure perform away from Earth before future human missions to Mars. <\/p>\n

As NASA develops these capabilities, Bhakta explained that keeping the Moon Base architecture adaptable will require understanding how individual systems connect and work together. <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t deal with the technology directly,\u201d Bhakta said. \u201cDeal with the interfaces.\u201d <\/p>\n

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From left, Monte Goforth, acting director of Business Development and Technology Integration at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center; Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA\u2019s Moon Base Program; and Laura Neder, head of platform for the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and the Ion District, pose during NASA Stories at the Ion. <\/div>\n
NASA\/Sumer Loggins<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Building the Moon Base will take more than engineers and scientists. NASA will need communicators, business professionals, researchers, and people from many other fields to help solve problems and share the agency\u2019s work. <\/p>\n

\u201cThere are many ways to contribute,\u201d Bhakta said. \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid that your skill set does not fit in.\u201d <\/p>\n

Moon Base build-up will offer multiple entry points for industry and international collaborators to participate, innovate, and contribute. From early demonstrations to long-term surface operations, there are multiple solicitations currently open.  <\/p>\n

Find more information at:<\/p>\n

www.nasa.gov\/moonbase-solicitations<\/a><\/p>\n

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