NASA: These are the 13 candidate regions for sending astronauts to the Moon

The 13 candidate regions for the landing of the manned mission in the framework of the Artemis program were announced by the NASA.

These are 13 points near the South Pole of the Moon. Each region contains multiple potential landing sites for Artemis III, which will be the first of the program’s crewed missions to the lunar surface, including the first woman to set foot on the Moon.

“The selection of these areas means we’re taking a giant leap closer to returning humans to the Moon for the first time since Apollo,” said Mark Kirasich, associate associate for the Artemis Campaign Development Division at NASA headquarters in Washington. “When we do, it will be unlike any mission done before as astronauts venture into dark regions previously unexplored by humans and set the stage for future long sojourns.”

The selected areas are:

– Faustini Rim A
-Peak Near Shackleton
-Connecting Ridge
-Connecting Ridge Extension
-de Gerlache Rim 1
– de Gerlache Rim 2
-de Gerlache-Kocher Massif
– Haworth
– Malapert Massif
-Leibnitz Beta Plateau
-Nobile Rim 1
-Nobile Rim 2
– Amundsen Rim

Watch the video showing the exact locations of the sites:

Each of these regions is within six degrees of latitude of the lunar South Pole. Together, the regions provide landing options for all possible Artemis III launch opportunities. Specific landing sites are closely tied to the timing of the launch window, so many areas provide flexibility to launch throughout the year.

To select the sites, a team of scientists and engineers across the agency evaluated the region near the lunar South Pole using data from the NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and decades of lunar science publications and findings. In addition to looking at launch window availability, the team evaluated the sites based on their ability to host a safe landing, using criteria such as terrain slope, ease of communication with Earth and lighting conditions. To determine accessibility, the team also looked at the rocket’s combined capabilities Space Launch Systemthe Orion spacecraft and the Starship human landing system provided by SpaceX.

All of the areas under consideration are scientifically significant because of their proximity to the lunar South Pole, which is a region that contains permanently shadowed areas rich in resources and terrain unexplored by humans.

“Many of the proposed sites within the regions are among some of the oldest parts of the Moon and together with the permanently shadowed regions, provide an opportunity to learn about the history of the Moon through previously unstudied lunar materials,” said Sarah Noble, chief of lunar research in NASA’s Planetary Science Division.

The analysis team weighed other landing criteria against specific Artemis III science goals, including the goal of landing close enough to a permanently shadowed area to allow the crew to conduct a moonwalk while minimizing landing disturbance. This will allow the crew to collect samples and conduct scientific analysis in an uncompromised area, yielding important information about the depth, distribution and composition of the water ice confirmed at the Moon’s South Pole.

The team identified areas that can fulfill the goal of walking on the surface of the Moon (moonwalk) ensuring proximity to permanently shaded areas and also took into account other lighting conditions. All 13 regions contain sites that provide continuous access to sunlight for a period of 6.5 days—the planned duration of the Artemis III surface mission. Access to sunlight is critical for a long-term stay on the Moon because it provides a source of energy and minimizes temperature fluctuations.

“Developing a plan to explore the solar system means learning how to use resources available to us while maintaining their scientific integrity,” said Jacob Bleacher, NASA’s chief exploration scientist. “Lunar water ice is valuable scientifically and also as a resource, because from it we can extract oxygen and hydrogen for life support systems and fuel.”

NASA will discuss the 13 regions with the broader scientific and engineering communities through conferences and workshops to solicit input on the merits of each region. This feedback will update site selections in the future, and NASA may identify additional areas for consideration. The organization will also continue to work with the SpaceX to confirm the Starship’s landing capabilities and evaluate options accordingly.

NASA will select intra-regional sites for Artemis III after determining the mission’s target launch dates, which dictate transfer trajectories and surface environmental conditions.

Through Artemis, NASA will land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon, paving the way for a long-term, sustainable lunar presence and serving as a stepping stone for future astronaut missions to Mars.

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