A study funded by NASA stated that humans will be able to live on the moon in a decade or more time from now. Researchers associated with the study outlined a plan to take humans again to the moon.

The plan includes sending rovers that could scrutinize the lunar poles for hydrogen in 2018 and then scientists could start prospecting by 2019 or 2020.

As per the plan, the robotic construction of a permanent base would begin in 2021 in anticipation of landing humans on the moon later that year.

The study stated that the space agency would be able to accomplish the plan within the exiting budget set for human spaceflights. The study suggest NASA to adopt same method of the moon mission that it adopts for resupply missions to the International Space Station (ISS) i. e. a public-private partnership with companies like SpaceX, Orbital ATK or the United Launch Alliance.

It has been told that Elon Musk owned SpaceX presently charges NASA about $4,750 for every kilogram of supplies sent to orbit aboard its Falcon 9 rocket. The cost is calculated to far less than the cost by the Apollo-era Saturn V i. e. $46,000 per kilogram or even the space shuttle $60,000 per kilogram.

The study highlighted that by using commercial partners, the American space agency could reduce the number of planned the Space Launch System (SLS) launches from 12 to around three.

This will in turn reduce the cost of the programme while still developing the technologies necessary to support it, the study said.