NASA has mapped out 13 landing regions on the Moon for its next Artemis mission, with details shared through the agency’s official channels. These sites are chosen to maximize scientific return and to enable a broad exploration of lunar science in a way that fits within mission constraints and safety requirements.
All of the proposed sites lie near the Moon’s South Pole, a region that presents a mosaic of geological features and lighting patterns. The goal is to provide astronauts with access to a wide variety of landscapes, rock types, and surface processes, while also offering opportunities to study how the Moon’s environment changes with lighting and shadow over the long duration of a mission. The selection emphasizes diversity so teams can gather complementary data that helps build a more complete picture of the Moon’s history and its current state.
The group of scientists and engineers involved in choosing the regions notes that several of the selected areas include some of the oldest terrain on the Moon. In combination with permanently shadowed craters, these locations offer a rich archive of material that could reveal new information about the early years of the solar system. The emphasis on ancient material aligns with ongoing efforts to understand how the Moon formed and evolved, as well as how volatile compounds and ice may be distributed in the polar regions.
To decide where the landers will touch down, the team evaluated the lunar surface using a suite of data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter alongside findings from earlier lunar missions. This analysis helps ensure that the chosen regions can support extended exploration while preserving scientific integrity. The data set includes high-resolution imaging and topographic maps that allow a clear view of surface texture, rock abundance, and potential hazards that might affect operations.
Beyond science suitability, practical considerations played a crucial role in the site selection. The team examined how the launch window would synchronize with the landing sequence and how easily communication with Earth could be maintained during descent and surface activities. Lighting conditions were a key factor as well, because regions with favorable illumination can simplify navigation, power generation, and instrument operation. Terrain slope and stability were also weighed to reduce risk during landing and rover or astronaut movement, ensuring a safe and productive mission profile while enabling systematic surface exploration over the mission timeline.