Moon Base Alpha is real. The success of Artemis II’s lunar loop in April has energized plans for a permanent lunar foothold in the next decade. Once the purview of science fiction, an actual Moon Base will occupy hundreds of square miles and house future Artemis crews during long-duration stays that will fuel a lunar economy, assert America’s dominance in space, and possibly serve as a springboard to Mars. “The Moon Base will be America’s and humanity’s first outpost on another celestial world,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman during a May 26 press conference . “Each mission will cement the skills needed to live and operate in one of the most demanding and dangerous environments imaginable.” But first, baby steps. Lots of them. Isaacman and his colleagues described the first of more than a dozen mission announcements expected this year, designed to generate operational data and reduce risk for astronauts.…