---
type: entity
entity_type: research_program
name: Project Ignition
parent_org: NASA
domain: space-development
status: active
announced: 2026-03-24
---

# Project Ignition

**Type:** NASA lunar surface development program  
**Budget:** $20 billion over 7 years  
**Administrator:** Jared Isaacman  
**Status:** Active (Phase 1 beginning 2027)

## Overview

Project Ignition is NASA's three-phase architecture for establishing a permanently inhabited lunar south pole base. Announced March 24, 2026, it represents a strategic pivot from the Gateway orbital station approach to surface-direct development focused on in-situ resource utilization (ISRU).

## Architecture

### Phase 1 (FY2027-2030): Robotic Testing
- **Budget:** ~$10B of total $20B
- **CLPS acceleration:** Up to 30 robotic landings starting 2027
- **MoonFall hoppers:** Small propulsive landers with 50km range for water ice prospecting in permanently shadowed craters
- **LTV program:** Three contractors (Astrolab/FLEX, Intuitive Machines/Moon RACER, Lunar Outpost/Lunar Dawn) with $4.6B IDIQ total
- **Objective:** Technology validation and ISRU feasibility demonstration

### Phase 2 (2029-2032): Surface Infrastructure
- Power, communications, and mobility systems deployment
- Human presence for weeks to months per mission
- LTV operational for astronaut mobility

### Phase 3 (2032-2033+): Continuous Habitation
- **Prime contractor:** Blue Origin (habitats)
- Permanently inhabited base
- Operational ISRU

## Strategic Rationale

**Location:** Lunar south pole selected specifically for water ice access in permanently shadowed craters. The architecture is ISRU-first—the base is positioned where the strategic resource is located.

**Gateway cancellation:** Announced simultaneously with Project Ignition, representing a shift from orbit-first to surface-direct architecture.

## Key Contractors

- **Blue Origin:** Phase 3 habitat prime contractor
- **Astrolab:** LTV FLEX rover (with Axiom Space)
- **Intuitive Machines:** Moon RACER LTV
- **Lunar Outpost:** Lunar Dawn LTV (with Lockheed Martin, GM, Goodyear, MDA)
- **CLPS providers:** Multiple commercial lunar delivery services

## Timeline

- **2026-03-24** — Project Ignition announced by Administrator Jared Isaacman; Gateway formally cancelled
- **2027** — Phase 1 begins with CLPS acceleration to 30 robotic landings
- **2029-2032** — Phase 2 surface infrastructure deployment
- **2032+** — Phase 3 continuous habitation target

## Related Programs

- [[sr-1-freedom]] — Nuclear electric spacecraft announced alongside Project Ignition
- [[clps]] — Commercial Lunar Payload Services, primary Phase 1 delivery mechanism
- [[artemis-accords]] — Governance framework for international participation

## Sources

- NASA.gov: "NASA Unveils Initiatives to Achieve America's National Space Policy" (March 24, 2026)
- Singularity Hub: "NASA Unveils $20B Moon Base Plan" (March 27, 2026)
- CNN: "NASA announces new Mars mission, reshapes goals on the moon" (March 24, 2026)
- Planetary Society: "'Ignition': A new series of NASA initiatives" (2026)