---
type: entity
entity_type: research_program
name: Project Ignition
domain: space-development
status: active
parent_organization: NASA
supports:
- NASA's lunar south pole location choice for Project Ignition represents an architectural commitment to ISRU-first development where base positioning follows resource location rather than accessibility
- NASA's two-tier lunar architecture removes the cislunar orbital layer in favor of direct surface operations because Starship HLS eliminates the need for orbital transfer nodes
reweave_edges:
- NASA's lunar south pole location choice for Project Ignition represents an architectural commitment to ISRU-first development where base positioning follows resource location rather than accessibility|supports|2026-04-17
- NASA's two-tier lunar architecture removes the cislunar orbital layer in favor of direct surface operations because Starship HLS eliminates the need for orbital transfer nodes|supports|2026-04-17
---

# Project Ignition

**Type:** Research Program  
**Parent Organization:** NASA  
**Status:** Active (as of March 2026)  
**Focus:** Surface-first lunar architecture replacing Gateway-centered approach

## Overview

Project Ignition is NASA's restructured Artemis strategy announced in March 2026, eliminating the Lunar Gateway orbital station in favor of direct surface access via Starship HLS. The program shifts commercial demand from orbital infrastructure to surface operations, including lunar landers, surface habitats, power systems, ISRU technologies, and surface mobility.

## Strategic Rationale

Administrator Isaacman stated Project Ignition allows NASA to simplify architecture, increase launch cadence, and align resources with surface-focused operations. Gateway's orbital node was deemed to add cost and complexity that Starship HLS can eliminate through direct surface access.

## Timeline

- **2026-03-24** — NASA announces Gateway cancellation and Project Ignition launch
- **2026-04-02** — Nova Space publishes analysis of commercial ecosystem consequences