DARPA's LunA-10 Initiative: Building the Foundations of a Thriving Lunar Economy

DARPA’s LunA-10 study is laying the groundwork for a robust lunar and cislunar economy, driven by a vision of integrated scientific research and commercial development over the next decade. Informed by the September 2021 PwC Australia report on lunar market trends, the study is focusing on critical sectors such as transit/mobility, energy, and communications, all of which are expected to underpin future lunar industries like construction, mining, and advanced robotics. In December 2023, DARPA selected 14 companies—including Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, and SpaceX—to develop the necessary infrastructure and conceptual studies, such as Northrop Grumman’s proposal for a “lunar railroad” network.

Recent updates include preliminary findings presented at the Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium Spring Meeting in April 2024. Collaborations have already begun, with companies like Sierra Space working on oxygen extraction frameworks and Nokia designing a high-performance communications infrastructure to support scalable lunar operations. These efforts are paving the way for shareable, scalable systems that will reduce barriers to lunar exploration and economic development over the next ten years.