What Will NASA’s Lunar Village by 2035 Look Like?

NASA Administrator Sean Duffy unveiled an ambitious vision at the International Astronautical Congress in Sydney: a permanent, nuclear-powered lunar village within ten years.

This represents a major event for the US space program, as NASA transitions from short-term outposts to long-term human habitation on the moon.

For decades, lunar plans centered on brief visits and restricted crew operations. Duffy’s announcement redefines US goals, describing a “village” that will enable a broader range of activities, from science and industry to everyday living on lunar soil.

Why is NASA pushing for a lunar village now?

Accelerated by global competition and technological breakthroughs, NASA is intent on leading a new era of lunar settlement. Duffy cited the need for genuine habitation, not just scientific outposts, to ensure American leadership in space.

The push comes amid intensified rivalry with China, which has advanced its own lunar base timeline to 2030 and proposed an automated nuclear power plant for 2035.

The lunar village strategy would also support US Mars ambitions, as crews learn to live and work for extended periods on another world.

NASA’s growing collaboration with commercial partners and international agencies further enables this bold transition.

Did you know?
The planned lunar nuclear fission reactor, targeted for deployment by 2030, would supply at least 100 kilowatts, enough to continuously power about 70 typical Earth homes.

What technology will power life on the moon?

Central to the lunar village is NASA’s plan for a nuclear fission reactor, set to launch by 2030. With 100 kilowatts of continuous power, the reactor will provide reliable energy for habitats, life-support systems, and scientific instruments throughout the moon’s two-week night cycles when solar power is unviable.

The project has received hundreds of millions of dollars in funding and sparked a wave of commercial bids for reactor designs.

If successful, the technology will ensure round-the-clock power, making long-term lunar stays feasible for the first time.

How do global rivals influence US lunar ambitions?

Competition with China looms large over NASA’s vision. Duffy emphasized that the “race to the moon” is both technical and geopolitical, with China and Russia advancing plans for rival bases and power stations by the mid-2030s.

The possibility of exclusion zones and territorial claims on the moon adds urgency for the US to secure its place.

China’s accelerated crewed lunar landing goal for 2030, combined with Russia’s automated facility plans, has “fast-tracked” NASA’s nuclear power initiative. The prospect of resource competition and strategic tensions is shaping space policies worldwide.

What obstacles must NASA overcome?

NASA’s timeline faces technical and financial hurdles. Artemis III, the first crewed U.S. lunar landing since Apollo 17, has shifted to mid-2027 due to delays with SpaceX’s Starship lunar lander.

NASA’s Safety Advisory Panel has warned that further schedule slips are possible, affecting downstream projects like the lunar Gateway station. Budget challenges add a layer of uncertainty.

President Trump’s proposed budget for 2026 would cut NASA’s funding by nearly a quarter, potentially eliminating flagship programs like the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft after Artemis III. Congress has resisted some cuts, but future appropriations remain unpredictable.

What could daily life in a lunar village involve?

A nuclear-powered lunar village would allow for stable shelters, science labs, and resource extraction hubs. Continuous energy streams could support water, food cultivation, and manufacturing, enabling longer stays and more extensive research.

Residents would face hazards like radiation, low gravity, and psychological isolation, but access to robust habitat systems and communication links could make lunar life increasingly comfortable.

The Gateway space station, scheduled to launch no earlier than 2027, will serve as a staging point for personnel and supplies.

NASA has outlined a vision that combines international cooperation, groundbreaking technology, and enduring human curiosity.

As work begins, humanity could see the moon transform from a destination for short-lived missions into a vibrant settlement supporting everyday life and future exploration.