NASA has announced an updated set of nine potential landing regions near the lunar South Pole for the upcoming Artemis III mission, which will mark humanity’s return to the Moon after more than five decades.
Landing Regions
Source: NASA
The nine candidate landing regions, listed in no particular order, are:
- Peak near Cabeus B
- Haworth
- Malapert Massif
- Mons Mouton Plateau
- Mons Mouton
- Nobile Rim 1
- Nobile Rim 2
- de Gerlache Rim 2
- Slater Plain
Scientific Significance
The lunar South Pole represents unexplored territory, significantly different from the Apollo mission landing sites. This region contains permanently shadowed areas that may preserve water and other valuable resources. The selected sites offer access to some of the Moon’s oldest terrain and cold, shadowed regions that could contain water and other compounds.
Selection Process
A multidisciplinary team analyzed the lunar South Pole region using data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and existing lunar science research. The selection criteria included:
- Scientific potential
- Launch window availability
- Terrain suitability
- Communication capabilities with Earth
- Lighting conditions
Future Plans
NASA will continue to evaluate these regions through scientific and engineering studies. The final landing site selection will depend on the mission’s target launch dates, which will determine transfer trajectories and surface environment conditions. The Artemis program aims to establish long-term scientific exploration on the Moon, with plans to land the first woman, first person of color, and first international partner astronaut on the lunar surface.
The mission will utilize NASA’s SLS rocket, the Orion spacecraft, and Starship HLS to ensure safe access to the landing sites. Future missions, including Artemis IV and V, will expand scientific opportunities and incorporate the Lunar Terrain Vehicle.
