Moon Base
NASA cancels Lunar Gateway to prioritize $20B moon base under Ignition plan
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NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced the Ignition initiative on March 24, canceling the Lunar Gateway orbiting station to focus on a $20 billion three-phase moon base on the lunar surface. The shift, echoing Trump administration budget proposals, supports frequent Artemis crewed landings amid competition from China and preparations for the first crewed Artemis mission with a launch window opening April 1.
NASA's Carlos Garcia-Galan, program executive for the new Moon base under the Ignition initiative, was dubbed 'Lunar Viceroy' by Administrator Jared Isaacman at the Washington, DC, event announcing the plan. Transitioning from the canceled Lunar Gateway, Garcia-Galan highlighted supply chain challenges, international support, and steps to ensure two landings per year.