Artemis III Lunar Landing Coordinates Officially Finalized: The Ultimate Guide
Quick Summary
As of March 12, 2026, NASA has officially finalized the landing coordinates for the historic Artemis III mission. Ending years of geological surveys and orbital analysis, the primary landing zone is locked at Malapert Massif (approx. 85.9° S, 2.9° E) near the Lunar South Pole. This site provides optimal conditions for SpaceX's Starship HLS landing, constant communication with Earth, and crucial access to permanently shadowed regions containing water ice.
Key Questions & Expert Answers (Updated: 2026-03-12)
For those tracking the rapid developments of the Artemis program today, here are the immediate, data-backed answers to your most pressing questions.
What are the exact Artemis III lunar landing coordinates?
The finalized primary coordinates pinpoint a relatively flat ridge on the Malapert Massif near 85°59'05"S 2°55'42"E. This target ellipse is just 100 meters in diameter, representing the most precise interplanetary landing attempt in human history.
Why was Malapert Massif chosen over the other 12 candidates?
Malapert Massif won due to three intersecting factors critical in early 2026: exceptional "peaks of eternal light" offering over 90% continuous solar illumination for power, direct line-of-sight to Earth for uncompromised high-bandwidth communications, and immediate proximity (within 2 kilometers) to permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) expected to hold primordial water ice.
Is the Artemis III mission still on track for late 2026?
Yes. Following the successful uncrewed Starship HLS demonstration flights in late 2025, NASA and SpaceX confirmed today that the Artemis III launch target remains firmly scheduled for September 2026.
1. The Historic Decision: How NASA Narrowed It Down
Since identifying the initial 13 candidate regions back in 2022, planetary scientists and mission planners have debated the ultimate destination for humanity's return to the Moon. Today, March 12, 2026, marks the end of that speculation. The Artemis III lunar landing coordinates are officially set, directing the crew to the peak of Malapert Massif at the Lunar South Pole.
The narrowing process involved processing petabytes of data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). Engineers simulated lighting conditions, slope angles, and Earth-communication availability down to the hour for the planned mission window in late 2026. The selection panel prioritized safety—ensuring the SpaceX Starship Human Landing System (HLS) had a stable, slope-free zone—while maximizing scientific return.
2. Understanding the Coordinates: Malapert Massif Explained
The primary landing target is situated at approximately 85.9° South, 2.9° East. Unlike the equatorial plains explored by the Apollo missions, the Lunar South Pole is a landscape of extremes. The sun hovers perpetually near the horizon, casting shadows that stretch for miles and creating a striking, high-contrast environment.
Malapert Massif is a towering lunar mountain—an ancient remnant of the South Pole-Aitken basin impact. Here is why these specific coordinates are the holy grail of lunar exploration in 2026:
- Solar Power Availability: The landing ellipse enjoys near-constant sunlight during the 6.5-day surface mission. This is critical for powering the Starship HLS and recharging the new Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuits.
- Thermal Stability: While temperatures in the shadowed craters plunge to -250°C (-418°F), the illuminated peak of Malapert maintains a relatively moderate thermal environment, drastically reducing the strain on the life-support systems.
- Direct Earth Communication: Because of the Moon's libration, certain south polar areas temporarily lose line-of-sight with Earth. Malapert Massif's elevation ensures a persistent, uninterrupted communication link with mission control in Houston.
3. Navigational Challenges for Starship HLS
Landing at the Artemis III coordinates is not a task for the faint of heart. SpaceX’s Starship HLS is a colossal vehicle compared to the Apollo Lunar Module. Standing roughly 50 meters tall, its center of gravity requires an exceptionally flat landing pad.
The finalized coordinates sit on a micro-plateau with a slope of less than 2 degrees. Navigating to this spot requires autonomous precision. The HLS will utilize advanced Terrain Relative Navigation (TRN). As the vehicle descends, onboard computers will rapidly compare live camera feeds of the lunar surface against pre-loaded maps generated from LRO data, making millisecond adjustments to the Raptor engines to touch down exactly at 85.9°S, 2.9°E.
4. Surface Operations and Scientific Objectives
Once landed, the two crew members descending to the surface will conduct at least four major moonwalks. The proximity of the Malapert Massif coordinates to the Haworth crater offers unprecedented scientific opportunities.
During their excursions, the astronauts will traverse into the twilight edge of the permanently shadowed regions. Equipped with advanced core sampling tools, their primary objective is to retrieve pristine cryogenic lunar material. Finding accessible water ice is the absolute prerequisite for sustainable lunar architecture; it can be processed into drinking water, breathable oxygen, and crucial liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen rocket propellant for future missions to Mars.
| Mission Phase | Duration / Details | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Descent & Touchdown | Day 1 | TRN navigation, stabilizing Starship HLS at exact coordinates. |
| Moonwalk 1 (EVA 1) | 6 Hours | Immediate site survey, planting flag, initial equipment deployment. |
| Moonwalks 2-3 (EVA 2 & 3) | ~7 Hours Each | Geological sampling at the perimeter of the PSRs, deploying scientific payloads. |
| Ascent Preparation | Day 6 | Securing samples, systems check, launch from Malapert Massif to Orion. |
5. The Backup Sites: Connecting Ridge & Faustini Rim
Space exploration is inherently unpredictable. In the event that launch delays push the mission into a window where Malapert Massif's lighting conditions degrade, NASA has locked in two backup coordinate sets.
Connecting Ridge (89.5°S, 215.0°E): Located even closer to the geographical South Pole, this ridge connects the Shackleton and de Gerlache craters. It was highly favored but requires a slightly more complex orbital insertion from the Near-Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO).
Faustini Rim A: A geologically fascinating crater rim that offers deep access to ancient impact ejecta, though its terrain presents slightly higher risks for the towering Starship lander.
6. Future Outlook: Paving the Way for Base Camp
The announcement today, March 12, 2026, is more than just an operational update—it is the laying of the cornerstone for the Artemis Base Camp. The coordinates targeted by Artemis III will likely become humanity's first permanent address on another celestial body.
If water extraction proves viable at the Malapert Massif site, subsequent missions (Artemis IV and V) will bring unpressurized rovers, habitat modules, and pilot-scale resource utilization plants to this exact longitude and latitude. As the world watches the final preparations, the Artemis III coordinates stand as the gateway to the broader solar system.