For those who have ever dreamed of leaving Earth behind, NASA has unveiled an ambitious vision that could make it possible within a decade. The U.S. space agency announced plans to establish a permanent human settlement on the Moon by 2035, marking a historic step toward sustained life beyond Earth.
Speaking at the International Aeronautical Congress (IAC) in Sydney, NASA Administrator Sean Duffy outlined the agency’s long-term vision of building an entire “village” on the Moon. Powered by nuclear energy and designed for long-term human habitation, the project aims to go beyond temporary outposts to create a self-sustaining lunar community.
“We are going to have sustained human life on the Moon,” Duffy declared. “Not just an outpost, but a village.”
A Bold Leap in Space Exploration
The planned lunar village reflects NASA’s evolving approach to space exploration, shifting from short-term missions to long-term colonization. Unlike previous Apollo-era landings, which focused on brief visits, the new initiative aims to build infrastructure that can support everyday life—housing, power generation, research labs, and even potential commercial activity.
At the core of this mission is the use of nuclear energy as a reliable power source. With the Moon’s two-week-long nights and extreme temperature variations, traditional solar energy presents limitations. Nuclear technology, however, can provide consistent and long-lasting power, enabling humans to live and work on the Moon for extended periods.
Preparing the Path to Mars
While the Moon village is an ambitious undertaking in itself, NASA views it as a crucial stepping stone toward reaching Mars. By testing technologies and life-support systems on the Moon, the agency hopes to reduce risks and costs associated with sending humans to the Red Planet.
Duffy highlighted this broader vision during his remarks: “NASA will make great strides in its mission to reach Mars. We predict the U.S. will be the first to land on Mars.”
This dual focus underscores a strategy where the Moon acts as a proving ground for future interplanetary missions, advancing capabilities in habitat design, resource utilization, and human resilience in hostile environments.
International and Commercial Partnerships
Although led by NASA, the lunar village project is expected to involve partnerships with international space agencies and private sector companies. Collaborations could include Europe, Japan, and other spacefaring nations, as well as commercial leaders in aerospace and technology. Such cooperation would not only share costs but also bring diverse expertise to tackle challenges of living off-Earth.
Human Life Beyond Earth
For now, the idea of families, scientists, and astronauts living on the Moon might sound like science fiction. Yet, as Duffy emphasized, advancements in robotics, AI, energy systems, and space engineering make the 2035 timeline increasingly realistic.
If successful, the Moon village will stand as one of humanity’s most transformative milestones, shifting human life from a single-planet existence to a multi-planetary future.
As NASA continues to refine its plans, the world waits with anticipation. What was once confined to imagination may soon become a reality: an entire human settlement under the lunar sky.
