Human colony on the Moon: plans, deadlines, and main challenges In 2026, humanity stands on the brink of an event that has been dreamt of for decades — a permanent colony on the Moon. Space powers around the world have moved from talk to concrete plans. The United States has officially approved a budget of 20 billion dollars for the construction of an inhabited base. Russia, together with China, is scanning the lunar surface in search of an ideal location for its station. And Elon Musk promises an autonomous city on Earth's satellite in just 10 years. When exactly humans will start living on the Moon, what will their way of life look like, and what challenges will the first settlers face — we analyze this material. NASA's plan: from temporary missions to permanent presence In March 2026, the new leadership of NASA, headed by Jared Isaacman, brought about a revolution in the American lunar program. The agency abandoned the idea of the orbiting station Lunar Gateway and directed all resources to the construction of a base directly on the lunar surface. The strategy is called "return to stay forever." According to the official plan, construction will proceed in three stages. Phase 1 (2026–2028 years). NASA will organize 21 robotic mission to deliver about 4,000 kilograms of cargo to the Moon. At this stage, technologies for landing and deploying equipment will be tested, and the exact location for the future base will be chosen. Phase 2 (2029–2032 years). 24 landings are planned with the delivery of 60,000 kilograms of cargo. At this stage, the construction of the first semi-inhabited modules will begin, allowing astronauts to stay on the surface for a long time. Phase 3 (from 2033). The base will become fully inhabited. 28 heavy missions will deliver equipment for permanent residence and regular rotation of crews. By the end of this phase, there should be nuclear and solar energy systems, inhabited and cargo rovers, as well as a communication system similar to ... Read more