Artemis 2 Pilot Urges Equatorial Moon Landings Before South Pole Missions
Updated
Updated · SpaceNews · Jul 22
Artemis 2 Pilot Urges Equatorial Moon Landings Before South Pole Missions
3 articles · Updated · SpaceNews · Jul 22
Summary
Victor Glover used a July 21 NASA forum to press for the first Artemis crewed landings near the lunar equator, arguing NASA should reach the surface sooner in more familiar terrain before attempting the south pole.
A week-long wait to depart from a south-pole mission profile is central to his safety case: Glover said a medical emergency such as appendicitis could leave astronauts stranded until Orion or Gateway is back in position.
Low sun angles and long shadows at the pole would also complicate landing, walking and driving, he said, while equatorial sites offer Apollo-era familiarity and a more incremental way to retire risk.
NASA has already widened its options for early Artemis landings, and after dropping the lunar Gateway plan is considering other lunar orbits; SpaceX said in June its revised Starship approach would use low lunar orbit.
The agency has not abandoned the south pole, however: NASA officials still say Artemis 4 and 5 target the polar region, with final landing sites dependent on lander capabilities still being developed.