tech
March 24, 2026
NASA Canceled Lunar Gateway: Instead of an Orbiting Station, a Surface Base Will Be Built on the Moon
The American space agency NASA has canceled plans to place a space station in lunar orbit and will instead use its components to build a $20 billion base on the surface of the Moon over the next seven years, the agency's new director, Jared Isaacman, announced today.
TL;DR
- NASA has canceled plans for the Lunar Gateway space station in lunar orbit.
- The agency will use Lunar Gateway's components to build a $20 billion base on the Moon's surface over the next seven years.
- New NASA director Jared Isaacman announced the change, focusing on infrastructure for continuous lunar operations.
- Companies involved in Lunar Gateway are adapting to the shift in plans and contracts.
- The decision is partly driven by China's progress towards its own lunar landing mission by 2030.