NASA shared an update on its plans to build a Moon Base on the lunar surface, as well as outlined progress on future lunar lander missions and the agency's strategy for building a sustained human presence on the moon.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and Moon Base program manager Carlos García-Galán hosted a news conference on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the next round of lunar lander mission awards and preview upcoming milestones for the program.

The Moon Base initiative is NASA's effort to establish infrastructure near the moon's south pole that would support continuous human and robotic operations, scientific research, and commercial activity. The agency envisions the outpost as a stepping stone for future crewed missions to Mars.

The briefing came as NASA continues reshaping its Artemis program around a permanent lunar presence.

Earlier this year, the agency shifted its exploration strategy to focus more directly on building a surface base while streamlining other aspects of its moon program.

NASA said the Moon Base will be developed in stages, beginning with robotic missions that test technologies before expanding to support longer-duration human missions. The agency has said the effort is intended to strengthen U.S. leadership in space exploration while advancing scientific discovery and preparing for eventual missions to Mars.