NASA chief's prediction: Nuclear-powered spaceships, future moon base to be built in New Orleans

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman toured Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans East, where the Artemis II rocket and crew module were built, and announced plans for future space hardware, including nuclear-powered spaceships for Mars missions. He stated the Artemis II mission was just the beginning, with NASA aiming to establish a permanent moon base and send astronauts to Mars. Hiring is increasing at Michoud to meet demand for moon base equipment, with one vendor scaling up production of robotic landers from three per year to nearly one per month. The facility, covering 829 acres, houses 18 federal agencies and private contractors like Boeing and Lockheed Martin, which built the Artemis II rocket and crew module. The core stage for Artemis III’s Space Launch System rocket arrived at Kennedy Space Center after completion in Michoud, while construction on Artemis IV and V rockets is underway, and supplies are being gathered for Artemis VI. Isaacman acknowledged the growing role of private companies in spaceflight, suggesting NASA may eventually rely on them for crew and cargo missions to the moon. Louisiana lawmakers are advancing bills offering tax breaks, liability shields, and public records exemptions to attract commercial space companies. A space exploration firm is reportedly negotiating to purchase coastal land in southwest Louisiana for a new space complex. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise expressed confidence in Michoud’s capabilities, emphasizing its uniqueness for building next-generation spacecraft. Isaacman and Scalise discussed NASA’s budget, noting Congress rejected President Trump’s 2026 proposal to cut NASA’s budget by 24% and end the Space Launch System and Orion programs after Artemis III. Isaacman also held a town hall with Michoud workers, reinforcing NASA’s commitment to the facility’s future.