Candidates for landing Artemis III on the moon identified by NASA

NASA has identified 13 candidate landing sites near the lunar South Pole as it prepares to send astronauts back to the Moon under Artemis. There are multiple landing sites in each region for Artemis III, the first of the Artemis missions to bring crews to the lunar surface.

The selection of these regions means we are one step closer to a human return to the Moon since Apollo, according to NASA Headquarters in Washington's deputy associate administrator for the Artemis Campaign Development Division.

As astronauts explore dark areas previously unexplored by humans, it will be unlike any mission before. Peak Near Shackleton, Faustini Rim A, Connecting Ridge, Connecting Ridge Extension, Häworth, Malapert Massif, Leibnitz Beta Plateau, Nobile Rim 1, Nobile Rim 2, Amundsen Rim, Nobile rim 2, nobile rim 1, nobile rim 2.

There are six different regions within six degrees of latitude of the lunar South Pole. The regions provide landing options for all Artemis III launches. Landing sites are closely related to launch windows, so multiple regions allow for year-round launches.

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter data and decades of lunar science publications were used to select the regions near the lunar South Pole.

Along with launch window availability, the team evaluated landing locations based on factors such as terrain slope, communication with Earth, and lighting conditions, among others.

Also taken into account were SpaceX's Starship human landing system, the Space Launch System rocket, and the Orion spacecraft. There are scientifically significant regions near the lunar South Pole that are permanently shadowed, rich in resources, and unexplored by humans.

The proposed sites are among some of the oldest parts of the Moon. Together with the shadowed areas, they provide a great opportunity to study the Moon's history through previously unstudied lunar materials,' said Sarah Noble, NASA's Planetary Science Division lunar science lead.

Among the landing criteria weighed were other science objectives of Artemis III, including the goal of landing near a permanently shadowed area so the crew could moonwalk while minimizing disturbance while landing.

It will allow the crew to collect samples and conduct scientific analyses in an uncomplicated area, revealing more about water ice's depth, distribution, and composition, which was confirmed at the South Pole of the Moon.Using permanent shadows and other lighting conditions, the team identified regions that could fulfill the moonwalk objective.

The Artemis III surface mission will last for 6.5 days - the planned duration of all 13 regions. Having access to sunlight is essential for long-term stays on the Moon as it provides power and minimizes temperature changes.

According to Jacob Bleacher, NASA's chief exploration scientist, 'Creating a blueprint for exploring the solar system requires learning how to utilize and preserve the resources we have available.' Our ability to extract oxygen and hydrogen from lunar water ice makes it valuable from both a scientific and a resource standpoint.'

During conferences and workshops, NASA will invite input from the science and engineering communities about the merits of each region. NASA may identify additional regions to consider based on this feedback. Starship's landing capability will be confirmed by SpaceX, and the agency will assess the options accordingly.

Artemis III sites will be selected by NASA after the launch date is determined, which dictates transfer trajectory and surface environment. NASA's Artemis mission will land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon, creating a stepping stone for future manned Mars missions.