“Several of the proposed sites within the regions are located among some of the oldest parts of the Moon, and together with the permanently shadowed regions, provide the opportunity to learn about the history of the Moon through previously unstudied lunar materials,” said Sarah Noble, Artemis lunar science lead for NASA’s Planetary Science Division. This is an area of the Moon that contains permanently shadowed regions rich in resources and in terrain unexplored by humans.

To determine accessibility, the team also considered the combined capabilities of the Space Launch System rocket, the Orion spacecraft, and the SpaceX-provided Starship human landing system.Īll of the regions being considered are scientifically significant because of their proximity to the lunar South Pole. This included evaluating criteria such as terrain slope, ease of communications with Earth, and lighting conditions.

In addition to considering launch window availability, the team evaluated regions based on their ability to accommodate a safe landing. They used data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and decades of publications and lunar science findings. Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight CenterĪn agency-wide team of scientists and engineers selected the regions. This video features a data visualization showing the locations of all 13 regions, and highlights the interesting lunar topography and exploration potential of these areas. NASA has announced the identification of 13 candidate landing regions near the Moon’s South Pole for the Artemis III mission, the first crewed mission to the Moon’s surface since 1972. Multiple regions ensure flexibility to launch throughout the year because specific landing sites are tightly coupled to the timing of the launch window. Together, the regions provide landing options for all potential Artemis III launch opportunities. Between them, they contain a diverse assortment of geologic features. NASA identified the following candidate regions for an Artemis III lunar landing:Įach of these regions is located within six degrees of latitude of the lunar South Pole. “When we do, it will be unlike any mission that’s come before as astronauts venture into dark areas previously unexplored by humans and lay the groundwork for future long-term stays.” “Selecting these regions means we are one giant leap closer to returning humans to the Moon for the first time since Apollo,” said Mark Kirasich, deputy associate administrator for the Artemis Campaign Development Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. This will be the first of the Artemis missions to bring astronauts to the lunar surface and will include the first woman to set foot on the Moon. Each region contains multiple potential landing sites for Artemis III. NASA has identified 13 candidate landing regions near the lunar South Pole as it prepares to send astronauts back to the Moon under the Artemis program. A landing site is a location within those regions with an approximate 328-foot (100-meter) radius.

Each region is approximately 9.3 by 9.3 miles (15 by 15 kilometers). Shown here is a rendering of 13 candidate landing regions for Artemis III.

Flight simulator x landings