NASA has unveiled its plan to operate a pilot lunar resource processing plant by 2032. NASA scientist Gerald Sanders highlighted the initial focus of NASA would be quantifying potential resources such as energy, water, and lunar soil, aiming to attract commercial investment. Concurrently, NASA also envisions the creation of Gateway, a permanent moon-orbiting base akin to the International Space Station. NASA hopes to construct a base on the lunar surface from the Gateway to mine essential resources for interplanetary missions. The first customer is anticipated to be commercial rocket firms needing lunar resources for water, oxygen, or refuelling. A test drill to the Moon’s surface is set to be dispatched by the end of next week, with major excavation activities scheduled for 2032.

Source: https://www.mining.com/mining-the-moon-to-lift-off-within-ten-years-nasa/