The reasons for the delay are related to ensuring the safety of the individuals going up there, and resolving a number of undisclosed issues that likely pertain to the hardware (rocket, spaceship, and lander) not being completely prepared to carry out their missions.
Despite the delay, the nature of both missions remains unchanged. Artemis II will transport a crew of four individuals, including the first person of color and the first woman, to the farthest point humans have ever journeyed: 6,400 miles (10,300 km) beyond the Moon.
Artemis III will witness another crew with a similar composition landing on the Moon. The landing will occur, for the very first time, at the South Pole of the satellite, a location full of promises and enigma.
In 2022, the American Space Agency disclosed the potential landing sites in the region. There are 13 of them, all situated within six degrees of latitude of the lunar South Pole, and each site has multiple potential landing spots for the mission.
We will discuss all of them here as we attempt to gain a proper understanding of them before Artemis III departs in two years. However, let’s start with some general considerations about the locations.
All 13 sites were chosen after teams of individuals examined the Moon through the instruments of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, as well as numerous related publications and scientific discoveries.
A number of factors were taken into consideration, ranging from the sites’ ability to facilitate a safe landing to their visibility from Earth and the presence of sunlight. The scientific missions of Artemis III, which involve moonwalks and sample collection, were also considered.
NASA selected the South Pole of the Moon for the new exploration program due to its potential for harboring numerous resources that could benefit future missions in that area, as well as its status as one of the oldest lunar regions, making it a potential treasure trove of discoveries.
All of the potential landing sites that were ultimately chosen possess diverse geological characteristics, and each site receives ample sunlight throughout the estimated duration of the Artemis III mission, which is 6.5 days. This was a requirement because sunlight is crucial for the operation of astronaut equipment and can also minimize temperature fluctuations.
With that being said, below you will find the list of potential Artemis landing sites, along with the most significant information we have about them.
Faustini Rim A – this refers to one of the rims of a lunar crater named Faustini, which has a diameter of 24 miles (39 km). Sunlight falls on the ground at a very low angle in this location, meaning the crater itself is always in shadow – in fact, no one has ever witnessed what the crater floor looks like. It is a site that may contain a significant amount of water vapor and hydrogen.
Peak near Shackleton crater – Shackleton is another lunar crater, smaller than Faustini (13 miles/21 km in diameter). Its rims are constantly illuminated by sunlight, while its floor is perpetually covered in darkness. This location has the potential to contain water ice and hydrogen.
Image: NASA
de Gerlache crater rims – de Gerlache is an impact crater measuring 20 miles in diameter (32 km), and it remains largely unexplored, despite one side being visible from Earth. Two of the crater’s rims are being considered as potential landing sites for Artemis III, along with the nearby de Gerlache-Kocher massif.
Haworth crater – spanning 31 miles (51 km) in diameter, the Haworth crater is one of the smaller craters being evaluated as a landing site. Due to its complete immersion in darkness, it could be significantly colder than other craters in the region.
Nobile crater rims – two of the rims surrounding the lunar Nobile crater are also under consideration for landing. This crater is notably one of the largest in the area, with a diameter of 49 miles (79 km), and it is the general vicinity where the VIPER rover will touch down later this year.
Malapert Massif – a lunar mountain, the peak of the Malapert Massif stands at a height of 16,400 feet (5,000 meters) above its base, situated adjacent to an impact crater bearing the same name.
Leibnitz Beta Plateau – despite its name, the Leibnitz Beta Plateau is technically a flat-topped mountain that rises 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) above its surroundings.
Rim of Amundsen crater – arguably the most renowned lunar crater, Amundsen spans a massive 64 miles (103 km) in diameter. It can be partially observed from Earth, and there are suspicions that it contains solid carbon dioxide.
Image: NASA
In addition to the aforementioned craters, rims, and mountains, NASA is also considering connecting ridges in the area (refer to the main image of this article for details) as a potential landing site for Artemis III.
The 13 locations mentioned above are consistent contenders for NASA missions to the Moon. While only one will be selected for Artemis III, the remaining sites will remain on the list and serve as touchdown zones for future missions.
The space agency has not yet determined the precise location for the first crewed mission to the Moon. This decision depends on various factors, including the launch window and spacecraft trajectory.
According to the Source autoevolution.com