NASA 'Ignition' Event: Lunar Gateway Cancelled, $20B Moon Base Plan Announced

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman hosted the 'Ignition' event, formally announcing the cancellation of the Lunar Gateway space station 'in its current form' and replacing it with a $20 billion, 7-year program to build a permanent lunar surface base. The plan calls for 76 landings delivering over 200 metric tons of hardware — habitats, nuclear power systems, rovers, drones, and in-situ resource utilization equipment — with long-term human surface stays beginning after 2032. International partners ESA, JAXA, and CSA were reportedly surprised by the announcement; ESA said it is 'consulting closely with Member States.' Isaacman cited urgency to beat China to the lunar south pole: 'The difference between success and failure will be measured in months, not years.' NASA is 'confident it has the funds' for the new program per Bloomberg.