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Humans Return to Moon: Artemis 4 Aims for Lunar South Pole
11 Apr
Summary
- Artemis 4 will land humans on the lunar South Pole.
- This marks the first crewed lunar landing since 1972.
- The mission is scheduled for early 2028.
The Artemis 4 mission is slated for an early 2028 launch, aiming to achieve a historic milestone: the first crewed landing at the Moon's South Pole. This ambitious endeavor represents humanity's return to the lunar surface after a hiatus of over 50 years, with the last crewed mission occurring in December 1972.
The mission profile involves four astronauts traveling aboard the Orion spacecraft and entering lunar orbit. A key objective for Artemis 4 is for two crew members to descend to the surface and conduct scientific research, including sample collection and geological surveys.
This mission is part of NASA's broader Artemis program, which has a five-mission schedule. Following successful uncrewed and crewed test flights, Artemis 3 will assess the commercial lander, paving the way for Artemis 4's surface exploration. The program ultimately aims to establish a long-term lunar base.
