NASA is in full preparation to send its astronauts to moon again. Ths US space agency is currently focusing on the launch of its Artemis I rocket which is scheduled to be launched on August 29, 2022. This rocket is moved to the launch pad for final preparation.
Highlights
- Amid all these happenings, NASA has now identified multiple potential landing sites for Artemis III, which will be the first mission to bring crew to the lunar surface, including the first woman to set foot on the Moon.
- The agency has identified 13 candidate landing regions near the Lunar South Pole. All 13 regions contain sites that provide continuous access to sunlight throughout a 6.5-day period which is the plan duration of the Artemis-III surface mission.
- The 13 locations, each about 15 by 15 kilometers, are located within six degrees of latitude of the south pole. They are named: Faustini Rim A, Peak Near Shackleton, Connecting Ridge, Connecting Ridge Extension, de Gerlache Rim 1, de Gerlache Rim 2, de Gerlache-Kocher Massif, Haworth, Malapert Massif, Leibnitz Beta Plateau, Nobile Rim 1, Nobile Rim 2, Amundsen Rim
- According to NASA each of these regions is located within six degrees of latitude of the lunar South Pole, and collectively contain diverse geologic features.
Artemis Programme
- Artemis Programme is an international human space flight programme funded by the US Government.
- The main objective of the programme is to launch a manned mission to the south pole region of the moon by 2024.
- The programme is predominantly carried out by NASA. The other international partners in the programme are JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), Italian Space Agency, UK Space Agency, UAE space Agency, Brazilian Space Agency, Australian Space Agency, State Space Agency of Ukraine, Canadian Space Agency, and the European Space Agency.
- The total cost of the programme is estimated to be 35 billion USD.
- The programme is to be implemented in three parts. They are Artemis I, Artemis II and Artemis III.