NASA identifies thirteen regions of the Moon where a future human landing would be possible

Aug. 23 () –

NASA has identified up to 13 regions of the Moon where a future landing of the human being would be possible, as reported by the US space agency itself.

“The selection of these regions means that we are one giant step closer to returning humans to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo program.“, said the deputy administrator of the Artemis Campaign Development Division, Mark Kirasich.

The ‘Artemis’ program is NASA’s project to bring humans back to Earth’s satellite and the first crewed mission that is being prepared, which will be called Artemis III, in which the first woman to step on the planet will travel. Moon.

Kirasich has pointed out that, when this happens, “It will be a mission unlike any before, as the astronauts will venture into dark areas previously unexplored by humans. Y will lay the foundations for future long-term stays“.

Regarding the localized regions, it is Borde Faustini A; Peak near Shackleton; Connection crest; Extension of the connecting ridge; Gerlache edge 1; Gerlache edge 2; Gerlache-Kocher massif; Haworth; Malapert Massif; Leibnitz Beta Plateau; Noble Edge 1; Noble Edge 2; and Amundsen’s edge.

As reported by NASA, all of them are less than six degrees from the lunar south pole and collectively contain various geological features.

In addition, he indicated that these regions offer landing options for all potential Artemis III launch opportunities and explained that the specific landing sites are closely tied to the timing of the launch window, so having multiple regions ensures flexibility. for release throughout the year.

To select the regions, a team of agency scientists and engineers surveyed the area near the Moon’s south pole using data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, as well as decades of lunar science publications and findings.

Similarly, the availability of launch windows was taken into account. Specifically, as indicated by the US agency, the team evaluated the regions based on their ability to allow a safe landing, using criteria such as the slope of the terrain, ease of communication with the Earth and lighting conditions.

In addition, experts have also valued its accessibility and the combined capabilities of the Space Launch System rocket, the Orion spacecraft and the Starship human landing system provided by Space-X.

“Several of the proposed sites in these regions are located on some of the oldest parts of the Moon. and, along with the permanently shaded regions, offer the opportunity to learn about the history of the Moon using previously unstudied lunar materials“, has explained the head of lunar science of Artemis, Sarah Noble.

Following these identifications, NASA will discuss the 13 regions with the broader scientific and engineering community and select the sites for Artemis III after determining the launch dates of the missionwhich will determine the transfer trajectories and the environmental conditions of the surface.