NASA has not considered the possibility of private institutions establishing a base on the Moon
Carlos Garcia-Galan, head of NASA's Lunar Base Program, said in an interview with Sputnik News that NASA has not yet considered the possibility of private entities carrying out the first missions to build a lunar base.
When asked whether the first lunar base would be entirely constructed by private entities, Garcia-Galan stated:
"From our perspective on the lunar economy, it would be ideal and wonderful if we could immediately create a market environment where industries can operate independently and innovate early. But this will not happen."
He explained that NASA is willing to introduce market mechanisms for commercial launches, communication systems, and landers.
Garcia-Galan concluded: "We will use markets and commercial mechanisms as tools. Our primary goal is to establish a base, and we will do everything possible to achieve this."
In March this year, NASA announced a phased plan to build a permanent base on the Moon, to be completed in three stages: First, transporting vehicles to the Moon and establishing foundational energy, scientific, and communication infrastructure; second, collaborating with foreign space agencies to construct habitable infrastructure and logistics systems similar to those on Earth; and third, achieving long-term human presence on the Moon.
Source: sputniknews
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866600117980167/
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