How to build a moon base

image via New Scientist

March 12, 2026, 3:00 PM

• •Both the U.S. and China aim to establish permanent, crewed moon bases.
• •China plans the ILRS in partnership with Russia, targeting the lunar equator.
• •NASA's Artemis Base Camp will focus on the lunar south pole.
• •The Outer Space Treaty governs lunar operations, prohibiting national appropriation.
• •Success depends on infrastructure, resource utilization, and international cooperation.

The U.S. and China are competing to establish permanent, crewed moon bases, with differing strategies that may determine which nation succeeds first. China plans to establish the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) in partnership with Russia, focusing on a safer approach near the lunar equator, while NASA's Artemis Base Camp aims for the resource-rich south pole. The legal framework for lunar operations is governed by the Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits national appropriation but allows for safety zones, raising the question of whether multiple nations can coexist on the moon. The success of these missions will depend on infrastructure development, resource utilization, and international cooperation amidst the challenges posed by the moon's unique environment.

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