NASA has identified 13 areas on the Moon for a possible landing of the first woman and person on the 2025 Artemis III mission, which will be the first time Americans have walked on the Moon in 50 years. These areas were chosen because of the uninterrupted access to sunlight throughout the week-long mission, As well as a variety of landscapes of great mountain peaks and distinctive terrain.
Not only is NASA returning to the Moon once more, but the trip is a first step in preparation for landing the first humans on Mars. Once completed, the agency will continue plans to launch a human journey to the Red Planet.
Collecting samples from the lunar surface
This massive craft will be home to 4 astronauts, and they will test technologies such as rovers and reusable habitats designed as a training ground for Mars, according to the British newspaper, “Daily Mail”.
The Artemis 3 team announced that they will analyze each site over the next three years to determine the sites that the astronauts will explore, who will also collect samples to return to Earth following a 6-and-a-half day mission.
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Sarah Noble, director of lunar exploration in NASA’s Planetary Science Division, confirmed that many of the proposed sites are among the oldest parts of the moon, which will provide information on the history of the moon from previously unexplored materials.
Obstacle-free area
The analysis team compared other landing criteria to Artemis III’s specific science goals, including the goal of landing close enough to a permanently shaded area to allow the crew to walk on the Moon while minimizing risks.
The designated areas will allow the crew to collect samples, perform scientific analysis in an area free of obstacles, and gain important information regarding the depth, distribution and composition of the water ice confirmed at the lunar south pole.
And NASA had announced the Artemis program in 2017, on the 53rd anniversary of the landing of the famous “Apollo” flight, and set the launch date by 2024, but the lack of funding and the difficulties of the Corona pandemic disrupted the flight to be by 2025.
