New York, Oct 30, (V7N) - NASA is gearing up for a historic return to the moon with its Artemis III mission, slated for 2026. This mission will mark humanity’s first lunar landing in over 50 years, focusing on the unexplored regions near the lunar south pole.

The agency has identified nine potential landing sites, carefully chosen for their suitability for crewed missions. These sites are expected to facilitate groundbreaking scientific discoveries and enhance our understanding of how to sustain life on the lunar surface. Factors considered in the selection process included terrain, lighting conditions, science potential, and communication capabilities with Earth.

According to Sarah Noble, Artemis lunar science lead, the south pole offers a unique environment, providing access to some of the moon’s oldest terrain and potentially water-rich shadowed areas. “Any of these landing regions will enable us to do amazing science and make new discoveries,” she stated.

The nine selected sites 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

The last human visit to the moon occurred during NASA's Apollo 17 mission on December 19, 1972, marking a significant moment in space exploration. The first human steps on the lunar surface were taken on July 20, 1969, during Apollo 11, when Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the moon.

Artemis III aims to send two astronauts to the lunar surface, while Artemis II, scheduled for September 2025, will carry astronauts on a mission around the moon. As NASA prepares for this monumental return, the chosen landing sites hold the promise of unlocking new scientific insights and advancing our lunar exploration efforts.

END/NYC/SMA/