{"id":11481,"date":"2026-08-11T14:16:45","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T14:16:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rdgundem.com\/building-the-moon-base-nasa-stories-at-the-ion\/"},"modified":"2026-08-11T14:16:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T14:16:45","slug":"building-the-moon-base-nasa-stories-at-the-ion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rdgundem.com\/en\/building-the-moon-base-nasa-stories-at-the-ion\/","title":{"rendered":"Building\u00a0the\u00a0Moon Base: NASA Stories at the Ion\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBuilding\u00a0the\u00a0Moon Base: NASA Stories at the Ion\u00a0\u00a0\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA\u2019s Moon Base Program, gives a presentation during NASA Stories at the Ion in Houston on July 30, 2026. <\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCredits: <\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNASA\/Sumer Loggins<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA\u2019s Moon Base Program, gives a presentation during NASA Stories at the Ion in Houston on July 30, 2026. <\/div>\n
NASA\/Sumer Loggins<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

As NASA\u00a0prepares\u00a0to return astronauts to the lunar surface\u00a0for\u00a0longer stays and increasingly complex operations, building\u00a0the\u00a0Moon Base<\/a>\u00a0will require\u00a0new\u00a0ideas, advanced technologies, and\u00a0expertise\u00a0across many fields.\u00a0<\/p>\n

During NASA Stories at the Ion on July 30,\u00a0Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA\u2019s Moon Base\u00a0Program,\u00a0presented\u00a0\u201cBuilding the Moon Base: Challenges and Opportunities at the Lunar South Pole.\u201d He discussed the work\u00a0required\u00a0to\u00a0establish\u00a0a sustained human presence at the Moon.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Through\u00a0its\u00a0growing partnership with Rice University and the Ion, NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston hosts recurring talks connecting agency experts with entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and industry leaders. The series gives\u00a0Houston\u2019s innovation community a closer look at the people and ideas shaping the future of exploration.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA\u2019s Moon Base\u00a0Program,\u00a0presents during NASA Stories at the Ion. At left is Laura Neder, head of platform for the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and the Ion District.\u00a0<\/div>\n
NASA\/Sumer Loggins<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Laura Neder, head of platform for the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and the Ion District, welcomed attendees and introduced\u00a0Monte Goforth,\u00a0acting director of Business Development and Technology Integration\u00a0at Johnson.\u00a0Goforth delivered opening remarks on the value of sharing NASA\u2019s work beyond the agency and bringing people together to support future exploration before introducing Bhakta.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bhakta\u00a0outlined\u00a0how NASA is\u00a0working toward long-duration\u00a0human exploration of the lunar South Pole through the agency\u2019s\u00a0Moon Base\u00a0Program.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As part of that effort,\u00a0NASA is taking a step-by-step approach\u00a0to\u00a0Moon Base development.\u00a0Early robotic missions and technology demonstrations will help\u00a0NASA\u00a0gather data about the lunar environment, test systems, and reduce risks before expanding infrastructure and human operations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is probably going to be the most challenging endeavor NASA has ever undertaken,\u201d Bhakta said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Meeting that challenge\u00a0will require collaboration\u00a0between\u00a0NASA\u00a0and its commercial and international partners\u00a0to develop solutions for\u00a0operating\u00a0in extreme environmental conditions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Unlike the Apollo landing sites, areas near the lunar South Pole\u00a0contain\u00a0steep slopes, deep craters, and lighting conditions that change throughout the year. The Sun\u00a0remains\u00a0low on the horizon, creating shifting shadows that can complicate navigation and leave solar panels without sunlight for extended periods, increasing the need for energy storage and other power sources.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Because of the region\u2019s rugged terrain, crews, rovers, and other surface systems may not always have a clear line of sight to Earth. NASA will need communications infrastructure to relay signals\u00a0across\u00a0the lunar South Pole.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bhakta explained that Moon Base may not be a single cluster of connected structures. Terrain, lighting, power, and landing constraints could require habitats and other systems to be distributed across the lunar surface.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Attendees listen as Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA\u2019s Moon Base Program, discusses the challenges of establishing a sustained human presence at the Moon. <\/div>\n
NASA\/Sumer Loggins<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Lunar regolith, or Moon dust,\u00a0remains\u00a0one of the greatest challenges. Without mitigation,\u00a0the\u00a0sharp and clingy substance\u00a0could damage equipment and spacesuits while posing health risks to astronauts. Its electrostatic properties can also change depending on lighting and environmental conditions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Understanding\u00a0how\u00a0lunar regolith\u00a0behaves\u00a0will be essential\u00a0to ensuring\u00a0crews can safely live and work on the lunar surface.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Some permanently shadowed regions near the lunar South Pole may not have received direct sunlight for billions of years and may\u00a0contain\u00a0water ice and other volatile materials. These resources could support future exploration, but using them will require new mobility, power, and processing systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Moon will also serve as a proving ground for missions farther into the solar system. Operating on the lunar surface will help NASA learn how crews, equipment, and infrastructure perform\u00a0away from Earth\u00a0before future human missions to Mars.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As NASA develops these capabilities, Bhakta explained that keeping the Moon Base architecture adaptable will require understanding how individual systems connect and work together.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t deal with the technology directly,\u201d Bhakta said. \u201cDeal with the interfaces.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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From left, Monte Goforth, acting director of Business Development and Technology Integration at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center; Shatel Bhakta, principal systems engineer for NASA\u2019s Moon Base Program; and Laura Neder, head of platform for the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and the Ion District, pose during NASA Stories at the Ion. <\/div>\n
NASA\/Sumer Loggins<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Building\u00a0the\u00a0Moon Base\u00a0will\u00a0take\u00a0more than engineers and scientists. NASA will need communicators, business professionals, researchers, and people\u00a0from many other fields to help solve problems and\u00a0share the agency\u2019s work.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are many ways to contribute,\u201d Bhakta said. \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid that your skill set does not fit in.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Moon Base build-up will offer multiple entry points for industry and international collaborators to\u00a0participate, innovate, and contribute. From early demonstrations to long-term surface operations, there are multiple solicitations currently open.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Find more information at:<\/p>\n

www.nasa.gov\/moonbase-solicitations<\/a><\/p>\n

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