NASA lunar base
A concept for a later phase of NASA's proposed lunar base. Credit: NASA

We applaud the lunar base vision laid out by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on March 24. Placing this stake in the lunar regolith is long overdue. What is missing from the mission architecture, however, is a vision for long-term economic development on the moon. It will be a profound missed opportunity if NASA does not equally commit its lunar base efforts to supporting commercial development of the moon.

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Steve Wolfe is president and co-founder of Beyond Earth Institute.

Courtney Stadd is the executive vice president of the Beyond Earth Institute.