NASA and SpaceX race to build a moon base by 2032 with $20B budget

NASA is pushing ahead with plans to establish a permanent research station on the moon by 2032. The project, backed by a $20 billion budget, will rely heavily on SpaceX's Starship rocket for transporting crews and supplies. Meanwhile, SpaceX is preparing for a record-breaking stock market debut that could value the company at $1.5 trillion.

NASA's Artemis programme aims to return humans to the moon's surface by 2028. A key part of this effort involves SpaceX's Starship, selected as the Human Landing System (HLS) for the Artemis III mission and beyond. The partnership began in 2021 with a $2.89 billion contract for developing the lunar lander, followed by a $1.15 billion extension for Artemis IV in 2022.

Before crewed flights, NASA and SpaceX must meet several milestones. Propellant transfer tests were completed in 2024, while uncrewed demonstration missions are scheduled for 2025. A safety review in March 2026 will assess progress toward certifying Starship's Block 2 variant for human flights by 2027. Beyond NASA's plans, SpaceX has its own ambitions. Elon Musk envisions a self-sustaining lunar city within a decade, alongside AI data centres launched into space via magnetic accelerators. The company is also gearing up for the largest IPO in history, potentially this summer, with a valuation of $1.5 trillion. Despite SpaceX's growing role, its logo will not appear on the first American crewed moon mission later this month. NASA's long-term goal remains a sustained human presence on the moon, supported by both government funding and private innovation.

The collaboration between NASA and SpaceX marks a major step toward establishing a permanent lunar base. With $20 billion allocated and Starship set for key missions, the 2028 crewed landing will test technology for future expansion. If successful, the moon could host research stations, AI facilities, and even a self-growing city within the next decade.