“The EO provides the authority and deadlines (e.g., returning to the Moon by 2028), while the Field Guide provides the technical and economic pathways (LunA-10) to achieve those goals in a manner that will add value for taxpayers. ”

““It’s an expansive exercise and makes you realize just how much work will have to be done to make this vision real,” the new guide’s editor, Michael Nayak, a DARPA program manager, told Space.com. He said there were surprises in putting the document together — interesting revelations that deserve more attention.”

“Nayak spotlighted what’s needed within the next decade to establish an era of interoperable lunar infrastructure, which could spur a fully functioning lunar economy.

”Today, the lunar economy has mining as its center. But in order for that to scale, we need megawatts of power,” he said. In fact, Nayak would bet on a power company to be in the top five of a “lunar Fortune 50” business listing.”