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NASA is maintaining plans for the first crewed landing of the Artemis program in early 2028, seeing high scientific value and potential access to water ice at the lunar south pole. Glover, however, considers it safer to gradually advance to the polar region.
The NASA is set for the first crewed landing of the Artemis program in early 2028, planned for the Artemis IV mission and aimed at the lunar south pole. Victor Glover, pilot of Artemis II, questioned the choice for the first descent and advocated that the agency start near the equator before gradually advancing to the polar region.
According to Glover, an equatorial landing would provide more predictable lighting conditions and trajectories capable of accelerating return in an emergency. The polar plan associated with the near-rectilinear halo orbit could present opportunities for launch and rendezvous with Orion only once a week, a particularly serious issue in the event of a medical emergency.
Artemis IV is set to conduct the first crewed landing of the new lunar program
The Artemis program was created to take astronauts back to the lunar surface, decades after the Apollo missions. Artemis II is expected to take a crew around the Moon, without landing, and test systems and procedures that will be necessary in subsequent stages.
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The expectation for Artemis IV is that it will perform the first crewed landing of the new lunar program in early 2028. Before that, Artemis III should focus on docking maneuvers with lunar vehicles developed by Blue Origin and SpaceX.
NASA’s architecture envisions the Orion spacecraft docking with the lander in lunar orbit. Astronauts will descend to the surface while Orion continues its trajectory around the Moon before the rendezvous that will allow the return journey to Earth.
The agency’s main target is the lunar south pole, a region of high scientific interest. However, this location also presents the mission with technical obstacles that are not encountered to the same extent near the equator, such as low lighting, extensive shadows, and a more restrictive orbital dynamic.
Victor Glover advocates starting from the equator and gradually moving south
Victor Glover does not dismiss the exploration of the south pole. The Artemis II pilot acknowledges that the region offers advantages not found near the lunar equator. His proposal is to first conduct a landing in a central area of the Moon and then gradually use subsequent missions to move south.
The goal is to reduce the difficulty of the first crewed landing in the program. According to the astronaut’s assessment, the equatorial region allows for a more predictable operational sequence, especially in terms of solar light control and planning the crew’s return to the vehicle in orbit.
At the lunar equator, the alternation between day and night is more regular, although each period of sunlight lasts about two Earth weeks. For an initial mission, this could help in planning available energy, equipment temperatures, and astronauts’ activities on the surface.
Glover’s proposal places the choice of location in an execution order. The South Pole would remain a strategic destination, but not necessarily as the first surface to receive astronauts. For him, reaching the polar region in stages would be a way to reduce the risks of the initial operation.
Low Sun and Extensive Shadows Complicate Operations at the South Pole
The main challenge identified by Glover involves the position of the Sun at the lunar South Pole. In the region, sunlight is very low on the horizon, creating long shadows and areas that can remain without direct illumination for extended periods.
This scenario directly impacts energy generation. A lunar module that relies on solar panels needs to operate with sufficient light exposure. If it lands in a heavily shaded area, it will have less energy available to power communication systems, life support, instruments, and other essential equipment.
Shadows also make reading the terrain more difficult. Craters, uneven surfaces, and obstacles can be harder to identify when the light comes in at a low angle. For a crew conducting a landing and working outside the module, visibility is an operational issue, not just a visual one.
Near the equator, on the other hand, lighting follows a more uniform pattern. While this does not eliminate all the challenges of a lunar mission, it reduces an important variable for those planning the first crewed descent of the Artemis program.
Emergency Could Require Waiting Up to Seven Days
Glover’s second concern relates to the NRHO orbit, which stands for near-rectilinear halo orbit. This trajectory is used in planning missions to the South Pole because it offers suitable conditions for reaching the region but has a long and elongated orbital period.
In this configuration, Orion does not pass at all times in a favorable position to receive astronauts who are on the surface. The opportunity to launch from the South Pole, rendezvous with the spacecraft, and begin the return could occur only once a week.
This means that, in the event of a medical emergency at the landing site, the crew could have to wait up to seven days for the appropriate evacuation window. Glover’s concern is not a prediction that an emergency will occur, but the potential response time if it does happen.
In a mission at the equator, the trajectories could allow for faster returns, according to the astronaut’s analysis. The difference shows that the discussion about the landing site is not just about choosing a point on the lunar map: it alters access to energy, navigation, and the safety margin for the crew.
Water Ice Explains Why NASA Still Aims for the South Pole
The same shadows that complicate operations help explain why NASA maintains its focus on the South Pole. In permanently dark craters, scientists have identified signs of water ice, a resource of great importance for lunar exploration.
Water could have several uses in future missions. In addition to serving for consumption, it can be separated into hydrogen and oxygen, components that could contribute to fuel production and other life support systems for astronauts.
This potential transforms the lunar south pole into a strategic region for longer-duration missions and possible continuous human presence on the Moon. The aim is not just to land in a different area, but to access resources that can reduce the need to transport everything from Earth.
Therefore, the debate is not between a useful region and one without interest. The equator may offer a more predictable option for the first landing, while the south pole gathers scientific and operational opportunities for the long term that explain NASA’s insistence on this destination.
Decision Balances Immediate Safety Against Long-Term Objectives
The choice between the lunar equator and south pole encompasses two legitimate priorities. On one hand, Glover emphasizes the immediate safety of an inaugural mission, with more regular lighting and greater flexibility for a return in case of problems. On the other, NASA seeks a region that may concentrate water ice and support more ambitious exploration objectives.
The decision also occurs in a context of international competition. The south pole is of interest to other space powers, including China, which enhances the strategic relevance of reaching the region in the coming years. Still, the Outer Space Treaty establishes that no country can claim territory in space.
The point raised by the Artemis II pilot is not that NASA should abandon the south pole. Instead, the agency could reduce initial risk exposure by starting in an equatorial area and building experience before facing the harsher conditions of polar craters.
The Artemis IV, scheduled for 2028, will reveal which vision will prevail. If NASA sticks to the current plan, astronauts will face an environment marked by low-angle sunlight, extensive shadows, and more limited return windows. If a gradual approach is adopted, the first step could occur in a more predictable area before reaching the Moon’s most sought-after destination.
Do you think NASA should prioritize a safer landing near the equator or go straight to the lunar south pole because of the water ice? Share your opinion in the comments.
