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In anticipation of the first human-crewed Moon landing in over fifty years, NASA has updated its list of nine candidate landing regions near the lunar South Pole for its Artemis III mission. As part of the historic Artemis program, these areas will undergo extensive scientific and engineering evaluations to confirm their suitability. The agency will also continue to investigate additional sites for future Artemis missions, potentially expanding beyond these nine regions. A Commitment to Scientific Discovery “Artemis will return humanity to the Moon, visiting areas never before explored,” stated Lakiesha Hawkins, Assistant Deputy Associate Administrator of NASA’s Moon to Mars Program Office. “NASA’s chosen regions reflect our commitment to safely land crew near the lunar South Pole, where they can unlock new scientific discoveries and advance our understanding of living on the lunar surface.” NASA’s Cross-Agency Site Selection Analysis team, working closely with science and industry collaborators, curated these locations for their scientific potential and practical mission considerations, aiming to maximize safety and discovery. Nine Prospective Landing Regions for Artemis III The refined list of landing regions, ordered without priority, includes: 1. Peak near Cabeus B 2. Haworth 3. Malapert Massif 4. Mons Mouton Plateau 5. Mons Mouton 6. Nobile Rim 1 7. Nobile Rim 2 8. de Gerlache Rim 2 9. Slater Plain Each region boasts distinct geological characteristics, ensuring flexibility for mission timing. Located in an unexplored part of the lunar South Pole, these areas also feature shadowed regions that may contain valuable resources, such as water, vital for sustaining human presence. A Unique and Challenging Environment The South Pole’s rugged and shadowed landscape contrasts sharply with the Apollo mission landing sites, offering unprecedented scientific prospects. According to Sarah Noble, who leads lunar science at NASA Headquarters, the Moon's South Pole is very different from the landing site of the Apollo missions. It offers a chance to explore some of the oldest areas of the Moon and locations that might hold water and other materials in places that are always dark. These locations could lead to important scientific breakthroughs and new findings. Meticulous Selection Criteria The selection process involved a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers who analyzed data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and comprehensive lunar science research. They considered factors such as the scientific value of each site, terrain safety, communication capabilities with Earth, suitable lighting conditions, and alignment with mission launch windows. Trajectory calculations were also vital, ensuring safe access through NASA’s SLS rocket, Orion spacecraft, and Starship Human Landing System (HLS). Join our team of reviewers! Each identified region holds promise for significant scientific contributions. The Artemis III geology team assessed each site for its potential to provide new insights into lunar resources, rocky planet formation, and solar system history. Historic South Pole Landing and Future Artemis Missions “Artemis III will mark the first astronaut landing in the Moon’s south polar region, guided by a new lander and exploring terrain unlike anything encountered in Apollo,” said Jacob Bleacher, NASA’s Chief Exploration Scientist. “Locating safe landing zones is the first step for this milestone moment, and aligning those sites with scientific opportunities is our mission’s priority.” NASA’s selection team is also actively collaborating with the broader lunar science community, engaging through conferences and workshops to compile data, create geological maps, and assess each region’s unique geological features. Additionally, the team will continue surveying the South Pole region for potential Artemis IV and Artemis V missions, to enhance scientific opportunities and establish the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) for future exploration. The Path Forward for Artemis and Lunar Exploration NASA plans to finalize specific landing sites within the chosen regions based on launch dates, orbital pathways, and environmental conditions on the lunar surface. Through the Artemis program, NASA is setting the foundation for sustained lunar exploration, marking significant firsts as they aim to land the first woman, the first person of color, and an international partner astronaut on the Moon. This groundwork will pave the way for eventual human missions to Mars, contributing scientific and exploratory benefits for humanity. Want to be a product tester?