1. Why the Moon's South Pole Has Both Always-Sunlit Peaks and Dark Craters
The European Space Agency (ESA) probe SMART-1 photographed the area near Shackleton Crater at the south pole between 2004 and 2006. In 109 of the 113 photos, a certain peak was lit by the sun. This is a ratio of about 96%. [4]
This 96% refers to the number of photos in which the peak was lit by the Sun, not the percentage of daylight hours in a year. Still, researchers stated in 2008 that solar batteries could be used almost continuously, making it suitable for base power. This peak is called the "Peak of Eternal Light." [4]
The same source notes that the bottom of a nearby crater is always dark. It suggests that water ice carried by comets and solar wind may have accumulated there. [4] On October 9, 2009, NASA's LCROSS probe crashed into Cabeus Crater near the south pole. NASA announced on November 13 that water was found. [5]
The south polar region has peaks that get plenty of sun and bottoms that do not. The possibility of having both electricity and water is why the south pole is a candidate for a base. But how much ice is in those dark bottoms? [4]
2. How Much Ice Do Researchers Think Is in the Dark Craters?
In March 2026, a research team from the University of Hawaii published a report in the journal Science Advances. They used the ShadowCam camera on South Korea's lunar orbiter Danuri to study permanently shadowed areas. [6]
The results showed that ice does not appear to be spread over a wide area at high concentrations. The weight percentage of ice exceeded 10% only in small spots of about 20 to 50 meters. [6]
However, this is not a conclusion that "there is no ice." The study states that more sensitive probes are needed next to map ice even if it is less than 1%. The amount of ice is still not settled. [6]
Even though the amount of ice is not fully known, plans are starting to move. What kind of plans are they?
3. In What Order Does NASA Plan to Build Its Moon Base?
NASA presented its "Moon Base" plan on March 24, 2026, and released details of the first stage on May 26. The location is the lunar south polar region, and there are three stages. [1]
The first stage is a period of testing and learning, continuing until 2029. Reports say the plan involves up to 25 launches and 21 landings, carrying about 4 tons of cargo. The second stage is from 2029 to 2032, including up to 60 tons of cargo and Japan's pressurized rover. The third stage is after 2032, where astronauts stay in rotation. [3]
These numbers are "maximum" estimates and are not fixed counts. Dividing 60 tons by 4 tons gives 15 times, showing that the amount carried in the second stage increases significantly. [3]
The orbiting base "Gateway" is paused in its current form, and NASA stated that resources are shifting to surface equipment. International partner contributions include Japan's pressurized rover, the Italian Space Agency's multi-purpose habitat, and the Canadian Space Agency's lunar work vehicle. [1]
Three preliminary missions are planned. Blue Origin's lander is preparing to carry cargo to the Shackleton Connecting Ridge. As of August 4, 2026, the lander had finished environmental tests and was in the pre-launch preparation stage. [2]
What kind of vehicle is the "Japanese pressurized rover"? [1]
4. What Can Japan's "Running House" Moon Rover Do?
In 2024, the governments of Japan and the United States agreed that two Japanese people would land on the Moon under the Artemis plan. This is the first time for non-Americans. Japan is providing a manned pressurized rover called the "Lunar Cruiser." It is said that two astronauts can live in it for about 30 days in shirtsleeves. [7] "Pressurized" means keeping the internal air pressure close to Earth's, so astronauts do not need to wear spacesuits inside. Toyota is developing it, with a launch target of 2031 as explained at the time. Dates may change in the new plan, so read this as a schedule. [7]
Why is a house-like vehicle needed? Toyota explains that the lunar surface has gravity one-sixth of Earth's, temperatures ranging from -170 to 120°C, a vacuum, strong radiation, and is covered in moon sand (regolith). The temperature range is 290°C. [9]
The Lunar Cruiser is a six-wheeled fuel cell vehicle, about 6 meters long. The concept is to drive up to 10,000 kilometers in 10 years. [8] The length is a value from the 2019 concept stage and may change in current designs. [8]
10,000 kilometers is one-fourth of the Earth's circumference (about 40,000 kilometers). So, what will the base buildings at the end of the rover's route be made of? [8]
5. Can Buildings for a Moon Base Be Made from Moon Sand?
In 2013, ESA, with architecture firm Foster + Partners and others, researched building structures with moon sand (regolith) using a 3D printer. They used material similar to moon sand and confirmed that printing is possible even in a vacuum. [10]
The reason is that tiny liquid droplets of about 2 millimeters stay in the sand due to capillary action. Capillary action is the force where liquid seeps into narrow gaps. [10]
The design proposed a light "catenary" shaped dome with cell-like structure walls to protect against small meteorites and cosmic radiation. It is a concept to protect astronauts with an expanding living area. [10]
However, the experiment was done on Earth with simulated sand, not real moon sand. [10] In plans with limited cargo, using local sand as building material would be helpful, but realization on the Moon is still ahead. [10]
6. Three Points to Check When Reading Future News About the Moon Base
Talk about the Moon base currently mixes plans and achievements. When reading future news, look at these three points to see what is decided. [2]
The first is whether the preliminary lander actually launches and lands on the south pole ridge. [2] The second is whether exploration will be done to map ice even if it is less than 1%. [6] The third is how the Lunar Cruiser's launch date is shown in the new plan. [7]
At home, you can calculate your weight on the Moon by dividing your weight by 6. If you weigh 30 kilograms, it would be 5 kilograms on the Moon. [9]
For official information, see NASA's Moon Base page and Toyota's Lunar Cruiser page. English sources are listed in the references. [1]