NASA Identifies Candidate Regions on Moon for Landing Artemis III With Next Americans

Photo Credit: Twitter/Nasa

As NASA prepares to return astronauts to the moon under Artemis, the agency has identified 13 candidate landing sites near the South Pole. Each region includes a number of potential landing sites for Artemis III, which will be the first of the Artemis missions to land a crew on the lunar surface, including the first woman to walk on the moon.

"Selecting these areas means we're taking a giant leap closer to returning humans to the Moon for the first time since Apollo," said Mark Krasch, deputy associate administrator for the Artemis Campaign Development Division at NASA headquarters in Washington. " "When we do, it will be unlike any mission that has come before because astronauts go into dark regions previously unexplored by humans and lay the groundwork for future long-duration stays. "

NASA identified the following candidate areas for the lunar landing of Artemis III:

Faustini Rim A, Peak Near Shackleton, Connecting Ridge, Connecting Ridge Extension, de Gerlache Rim 1, de Gerlache Rim 2, de Gerlache-Kocher Massif, Haworth, Malapert Massif, Leibnitz Beta Plateau, Nobile Rim 1, Nobile Rim 2, Amundsen Rim

Each of these regions lies within six degrees of latitude of the South Pole and collectively contains diverse geological features. Together, the areas provide landing options for all possible Artemis III launch opportunities. Specific landing sites are tightly linked to the timing of the launch window, so multiple regions ensure flexibility to launch throughout the year.

To select the regions, an agency-wide team of scientists and engineers examined the region near the lunar south pole using data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and decades of publications and lunar science findings. In addition to considering launch window availability, the team evaluated terrain based on their ability to accommodate a safe landing, including terrain slope, ease of contact with the ground, and lighting conditions. To determine accessibility, the team also considered the combined capabilities of the Space Launch System rocket, the Orion spacecraft, and the Starship human landing system provided by SpaceX.

The regions considered are scientifically significant because of their proximity to the Moon's poles, a region of permanently shadowed regions rich in resources and regions. which have not been discovered by humans.

"Several of the proposed sites within the regions are located in the oldest parts of the Moon, and together with the permanently shadowed regions offer an opportunity to learn about the history of the Moon that has previously been unstudied," said Sarah Noble. are lunar materials,” said Sarah Noble. , Artemis Lunar Science Lead for NASA's Planetary Science Division.

The analysis team weighed other landing criteria against specific Artemis III science goals, including the goal of consistently landing close enough to the shadowed area to minimize disruption to the crew while landing. Allow to walk. It will allow the crew to collect samples and conduct scientific analysis in an uncompromised area, providing important information about the depth, distribution and composition of water ice that has been confirmed at the Moon's south pole.

The team identified regions that could serve the purpose of a moonwalk by ensuring proximity to consistently shadowed areas and factoring in other lighting conditions. All 13 regions have sites that provide continuous access to sunlight over a period of 6.5 days – the planned duration of the Artemis III surface mission. Access to sunlight is essential for a long-term stay on the Moon as it provides a source of power and reduces temperature fluctuations.

"Developing a blueprint for solar system exploration means learning how to use the resources we have while preserving their scientific integrity," said Jacob Blecher, NASA's chief exploration scientist. "Moon water ice is valuable both scientifically and as a resource, because it allows us to extract oxygen and hydrogen for life support systems and fuel."

NASA will interact with the broader science and engineering communities across the 13 regions through conferences and workshops to learn about the merits of each region. This feedback will inform future site selection, and NASA may identify additional areas for consideration. The agency will also continue to work with SpaceX to verify the Starship's landing capabilities and evaluate options accordingly.

NASA will select sites within the regions for Artemis III after identifying mission target launch dates, which determine transition speeds and surface atmospheric conditions.

Through Artemis, NASA will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon, paving the way for a long-term, sustainable lunar presence and serving as a stepping stone for future astronaut missions to Mars. will do