, Aug. 11 -- NASA is moving forward with plans to establish a lasting base near the Moon's South Pole, with more than 20 robotic landing missions planned through 2029 to deliver equipment, conduct scientific research and test technologies for future human operations.

The planned lunar base is expected to support scientific research, technology development and eventually human activities on the Moon.

NASA is working with commercial partners Blue Origin, Firefly Aerospace, Intuitive Machines and Voyager Technologies, which are developing landers for missions through 2028. The spacecraft will carry infrastructure, scientific instruments and other equipment needed to build a long-term presence on the lunar surface.

The missions are part of...