NASA considering building moon base

HOUSTON, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- NASA planners in Houston are exploring the feasibility of establishing a permanent manned station on the moon's north or south pole.

Speaking at the Johnson Space Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Deputy Associate Administrator Doug Cooke said the poles are ideal as they get the most sunlight, which would enable solar energy to power the station. He said an area at the south pole is adjacent to a permanently dark area that could possibly provide water from ice, CNN reported Tuesday.

NASA Associate Administrator Scott Horowitz said the main plan is to conduct manned missions to the moon by 2020, starting with short stays by four-person crews that would build the station over a 4-year timeframe.

Before that, NASA plans a series of robotic missions, with the first one scheduled for 2008.

The agency said it would also seek out international participation from other countries with space programs, the report said.