With Artemis II, NASA is in the process of sending astronauts around the Moon for the first time in more than half a century. The mission marks a major milestone in the agency’s long-term plan to establish a sustained human presence beyond Earth’s orbit.
But, while Artemis II is firmly a NASA-led mission, the infrastructure supporting is worth a double take. Behind the scenes, private companies are building launch systems, landers, communications networks, mobility platforms and future resource technologies.
And that fact raises a broader question for the tech and startup ecosystem: if companies build the infrastructure that makes lunar activity possible, does influence over the Moon’s future gradually shift toward commercial players?
Perhaps the Moon’s Next Phase Is About Construction, Not Exploration
Historically, lunar exploration was dominated by governments. The Apollo era was defined by geopolitical competition, with national prestige and scientific discovery at the forefront. However, Artemis signals a shift here – now, the goal isn’t just a single landing, but rather a long-term operational presence. That’s something that requires logistics, supply chains and repeatable systems.
Chris Hale, Co-Founder and CEO at Klear, Inc., believes Artemis II reflects a structural shift already underway. He explains, “Artemis II is a reminder of how quickly the future is arriving. It marks the beginning of a sustained human presence on the Moon, and signals to the world that space is no longer driven by a handful of national programs, but by an entire ecosystem of innovative companies.”
That ecosystem is becoming central to execution. Hale adds that “governments are still setting direction, but private companies are doing more work and taking more risks. Control of the moon isn’t moving to one company, but influence is consolidating around those who can fund, execute, and sustain operations.”
In other words, ownership in itself might not change, but operational power, on the other hand, might. And that’s worth talking about.
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A Lunar Economy Is Beginning to Take Shape
The shift from exploration to infrastructure is also changing how the Moon is viewed. Rather than a destination, it’s becoming a platform for a broader space economy. That requires mobility, power generation, communications and logistics, and these are all areas that are increasingly led by startups and venture-backed companies.
Dr. Oleg Demidov, General Partner at Beyond Earth Ventures, frames the change as a natural evolution. He says that “the way we explore the moon is changing – it’s not just about governments planting their flags and leaving their mark anymore. Now, we’re moving towards creating a permanent economy on the moon, and that requires a different set of skills.”
He points to the legal reality that no nation can claim ownership, but while that’s truem, infrastructure builders still matter. “The Outer Space Treaty says that no country can claim ownership of the moon, but private companies are stepping in to build the infrastructure we need to make the most of our time there. This isn’t a hostile takeover, but rather a natural next step: NASA is providing the overall plan, while private enterprises are figuring out the day-to-day details of how to make the moon a useful and sustainable destination.”
As these systems mature, “control” may increasingly depend on operational presence – that is, communications, power, mobility and safety zones – rather than territorial claims.
It’s About Participation, Not Ownership
Not everyone agrees that influence necessarily equates to control. Matthew Schmidgall, CEO and Co-Founder of ExLabs, argues that the biggest shift is accessibility rather than dominance.
“No. What’s shifting is who can participate and how often. The moon isn’t being taken over; it’s becoming operational. Governments still set national objectives and legal posture, but private companies are building the logistics, vehicles and cadence that make sustained activity possible.”
He adds that capability will matter more than legal ownership – “no one owns the moon. What matters is who can operate there safely and sustainably. Control on the moon isn’t a legal title, it’s a capability stack: communications, navigation, power, mobility, surface operations, and the ability to coordinate with others.”
This suggests that the Moon’s future may be shaped by whoever can build reliable infrastructure – and not only that, but who can keep returning.
Influence By Means of Infrastructure
Etienne Moshevich, CEO at Planet Ventures Inc., sees a similar dynamic emerging. “The Moon isn’t being ‘owned’ by private companies, but the companies building the infrastructure to reach and operate on it will shape who gets access, how resources are used, and ultimately who benefits from the next phase of the space economy.”
He notes that while governments still formally control lunar activity, “what is changing is who is building and operating the infrastructure.” Launch systems, landers, communications networks, and resource technologies are increasingly being developed by private firms.
“So while they don’t ‘own’ the Moon, they may soon control access, logistics, and economic activity around it—which is a very powerful position.”
Artemis II and the Beginning of a Commercial Moon
Artemis II itself is a NASA mission, but the broader Artemis program relies heavily on commercial partnerships, from launch vehicles to lunar landers and long-term habitat concepts. Indeed, this hybrid model may define the next era of space exploration.
Rather than replacing governments, private companies are becoming the operational layer that makes sustained activity possible. Infrastructure-first thinking – things like communications networks, power systems and repeatable logistics – is turning the Moon into a platform for commerce, science and international collaboration.
The result is a subtle shift, but it’s a significant shift nonetheless. Indeed, no one owns the Moon, and governments still set the rules, but as companies build the roads, power grids and supply chains of lunar activity, influence may increasingly belong to those who can keep missions running.
Artemis II may be NASA’s mission, but the future it opens could belong to the companies building what comes next.
Our Experts
- Chris Hale: Co-Founder and CEO at Klear, Inc.
- Dr. Oleg Demidov: General Partner at Beyond Earth Ventures
- Matthew Schmidgall: CEO and Co-Founder of ExLabs
- Etienne Moshevich: CEO at Planet Ventures Inc.
Chris Hale, Co-Founder and CEO at Klear, Inc.
“Artemis II is a reminder of how quickly the future is arriving. It marks the beginning of a sustained human presence on the Moon, and signals to the world that space is no longer driven by a handful of national programs, but by an entire ecosystem of innovative companies.
“That shift is already changing how things get built. Governments are still setting direction, but private companies are doing more work and taking more risks. Control of the moon isn’t moving to one company, but influence is consolidating around those who can fund, execute, and sustain operations.
“Financial infrastructure is critical now more than ever. The companies that can manage capital, allocate resources, and scale without running out of cash will shape the next era of space exploration.”
Dr. Oleg Demidov, General Partner at Beyond Earth Ventures
“The way we explore the moon is changing – it’s not just about governments planting their flags and leaving their mark anymore. Now, we’re moving towards creating a permanent economy on the moon, and that requires a different set of skills. The Outer Space Treaty says that no country can claim ownership of the moon, but private companies are stepping in to build the infrastructure we need to make the most of our time there. This isn’t a hostile takeover, but rather a natural next step: NASA is providing the overall plan, while private enterprises are figuring out the day-to-day details of how to make the moon a useful and sustainable destination.
“As space technology shifts from experimental to industrial, the concept of “control” over the moon is likely to be redefined by the establishment of “safety zones” and a strong operational presence. To achieve a sustainable ecosystem on the moon, it’s crucial that the future framework strikes a balance between commercial interests and international law, allowing for a multi-national presence to thrive. This balance will be essential in ensuring that the moon remains a shared and accessible resource for all, while also promoting responsible and safe operations.
“At Beyond Earth Ventures, we invest in critical infrastructure. For example, Lunar Outpost is establishing mobility with commercial rovers on the moon and Tandem PV is developing next-gen solar panels to maximize power generation in space.”
Matthew Schmidgall, CEO and Co-Founder of ExLabs
“Is control of the moon quietly shifting to private companies?
“No. What’s shifting is who can participate and how often. The moon isn’t being taken over, it’s becoming operational. Governments still set national objectives and legal posture, but private companies are building the logistics, vehicles, and cadence that make sustained activity possible. The real change is access moving from rare, bespoke, state-only programs to repeatable missions that more countries, universities, and companies can join. So participation is expanding, not ownership.
“What happens if private enterprise takes over space exploration completely?
“It won’t, and it shouldn’t. Space is a shared domain with national security, safety, and international coordination baked in. Governments will always have a central role in setting direction, regulating activity, and managing strategic risk. What private enterprise can do is make execution faster, cheaper, and more repeatable, meaning more science, more resilience, more missions, and more participation.
“Who has control of the moon?
“No one owns the moon. What matters is who can operate there safely and sustainably. Control on the moon isn’t a legal title, it’s a capability stack: communications, navigation, power, mobility, surface operations, and the ability to coordinate with others. The moon will be shaped by whoever can build reliable systems and keep showing up, within the rules.
“What does this new era mean for the industry and the future of space tech?
“We’re moving from one-off missions to infrastructure and systems. The breakthrough isn’t returning or one-off landings, it’s cadence. Standardized spacecraft, shared payload models, and repeatable ops are what open the door for more science, more commercial use, and more countries participating. The winners won’t be the loudest, they’ll be the ones who build the operational layer that makes exploration continuous instead of rare.”
Etienne Moshevich, CEO at Planet Ventures Inc.
“The Moon isn’t being ‘owned’ by private companies – but the companies building the infrastructure to reach and operate on it will shape who gets access, how resources are used, and ultimately who benefits from the next phase of the space economy.
“Is control of the moon quietly shifting to private companies?
“Not exactly – but influence is definitely shifting.
“Governments still formally control lunar activity through international agreements like the United Nations-backed Outer Space Treaty, which states that no nation (or company) can claim sovereignty over the Moon.
“However, what is changing is who is building and operating the infrastructure. Private companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Intuitive Machines are increasingly responsible for Launch systems , Lunar landers, Communication networks and Potential resource extraction technologies.
“So while they don’t “own” the Moon, they may soon control access, logistics, and economic activity around it—which is a very powerful position.
“What happens if private enterprise takes over space exploration completely?
“A full “takeover” is unlikely—but deeper private dominance is already happening and it’s happening right now. If private companies become the primary driver, then they’ll be faster innovation cycles, lower costs (as seen with reusable rockets from SpaceX) and more frequent missions and commercial opportunities.
“The risks could be concentration of power in a few companies, potential lack of global oversight or equitable access and prioritization of profit over scientific or cooperative goals. I am a believer in capitalism and think that over time the market will always find it’s way and the incentives will always drive entrepreneurs to continue to innovate to make the Space economy better for everyone around the world.
“Governments – through agencies like NASA and European Space Agency – will likely remain essential as regulators, anchor customers, and policy-setters.
“Who has control of the moon?
“Legally, no one “controls” the Moon.
“Under the Outer Space Treaty:
“• The Moon is considered the “province of all humankind”
• No country can claim ownership
• Activities must be peaceful and benefit all
“However, newer frameworks like the Artemis Accords (led by NASA and signed by multiple countries) introduce ideas like “safety zones” around lunar operations. Critics argue this could evolve into de facto control of key regions, especially resource-rich areas like the lunar south pole. So while there is no legal ownership, operational control over strategic locations may emerge.
“What does this new era mean for the industry and the future of space tech?
“We’re entering a commercial space economy phase, and it’s a major inflection point.
“Here are the key implications of it all:
“1. Infrastructure-first space economy
• Space could be seen less as exploration and more as infrastructure development like Starlink.
• Lunar bases, fuel depots, and satellite networks become foundational assets
“2. New markets emerging
• Lunar resource extraction
• In-space manufacturing
• Data, communications, and defense applications
“3. Capital markets involvement
• Venture capital, sovereign funds, and public markets are increasingly backing space companies
• Companies tied to launch, satellites, and deep space logistics could see long-term growth
“4. Strategic competition
• The Moon is becoming a geopolitical focus, particularly between the United States and China
• Control of infrastructure may matter more than territorial claims
“5. Long-term vision
• The Moon is likely a stepping stone to Mars and beyond
• Companies building lunar capabilities today could dominate broader space logistics tomorrow
“My take is, whatever we saw as opportunities on Earth over the last 50 years, those same opportunities are available in Space – no one has unlocked it yet but that’ll soon change.”
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