Artemis: These are the possible landing sites for the return of the humans to the moon
(NASA https://go.nasa.gov/3PDjzuH)
We’re ever closer to putting humans again on the Moon.
NASA has presented 13 possible landing sites for its Artemis program, which is scheduled for 2025.
All the candidates are located near the south pole of the moon, are well lit and the final choice will be made after the approval of the launch date for Artemis-3.
The Artemis program, launched by NASA in 2019, involves 3 steps:
- The return of people to the Moon
- The creation of an international manned near-lunar station Deep Space Gateway
- A permanent base on the surface of our satellite.
The goal of the last step is to conduct extensive research work, like delivering samples of lunar ice to Earth.
The program also includes the creation of the VIPER lunar rover and the CLPS program for the delivery of various research vehicles to the Moon with the help of private companies.
In addition to NASA and private companies, the program includes space agencies from other countries like Europe, Japan, and others.
ARTEMIS
Right now, the first landing of astronauts on the Moon under the Artemis program is tentatively scheduled for 2025.
Previously, this was expected to be done in 2024, however there delays are associated with the creation of the new lunar spacesuits and the HLS (Human Landing System).
Also, the exact launch date of the first manned flight Artemis-3 depends on the success of the first two unmanned flights of the Orion spacecraft (Artemis-1,2 program).
Those missions will be launched by the new SLS super-heavy launch vehicle, scheduled for 2022 and 2024.
Artemis 3 is expected to take almost a month, and will dedicate 6.5 days to the work of two astronauts on the surface of the moon.
THE SITES
Last Friday, NASA announced 13 candidates for landing sites for Artemis 3 at a press conference.
All the places are within six degrees of latitude from the south pole of the moon, where there should be deposits of usable water ice.
The 13 sites have in common certain characteristis:
- They are close to permanently shaded areas where there can be ice
- They are well lit
- They are suitable for establishing communication with the Earth
- They are fairly flat and most often located on high ground.
The size of each site is 15 by 15 kilometers, while the landing zone on itself will be a circle with a radius of one hundred meters.
The final choice will be made after the approval of the launch date for Artemis-3, so we still have to wait.
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