NASA’s Artemis III Geology Team will lead the science plan for future Moon landings to advance our understanding of the Moon and lay the groundwork for future space missions.

NASA has selected a team of geologists to develop a plan to explore the surface for the first manned mission to the moon in more than 50 years. NASA’s Artemis III mission will land astronauts near the Moon’s South Pole, including the first woman to land on the Moon, to advance scientific exploration and pave the way for long-term lunar exploration.

NASA’s Deputy Director for Science, Dr. “Science is one of Artemis’ pillars,” said Nicky Fox. “This team will be responsible for leading the geological planning for man’s first return to the lunar surface in more than 50 years, enabling us to maximize the scientific return of Artemis and improve our understanding of our nearest celestial neighbor.”

The team’s goals and missions

D., of Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. The Artemis III Geology Team, led by Brett Deneuve, will work with the agency to define the mission’s earth science objectives and develop the surface geology campaign that the Artemis astronauts will lead. We will be performing on the moon during this historic mission. These targets will be determined according to the scientific priorities of Artemis.

“The selection of this team marks an important step in our efforts to optimize Artemis III’s return to science. This team of eminent lunar scientists focuses on science operations, sample analysis and operational flexibility, which are critical to the successful application of science during Artemis III. demonstrated his expertise,” said Dr. Joel Kearns. . “With the establishment of the Artemis III Geology Group, we enable NASA to build a strong lunar exploration program.”

Other co-investigators of the Artemis III geological group:

• Dr Lauren Edgar (Assistant Principal Investigator), US Geological Survey in Reston, Virginia
• Dr Bradley JolliffeWashington University, St. Louis, Missouri
• Dr. Caleb FassettJohns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland
• Dr. Dana GurleyJohns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland
• Dr. Gordon Osinski University of Western Ontario in London
• Dr. Jennifer HeldmannNASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley
• Dr. José HurtadoUniversity of Texas at El Paso
• Dr Julian GrossRutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey
• Dr Catherine JoyUniversity of Manchester, United Kingdom
• Dr Mark RobinsonArizona State University in Tempe
• Dr. Yang LiuNASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California

The geology team will focus on planning science activities during the Artemis III astronauts’ trips to the Moon, which will include field geological transitions, observations, and lunar sample collection, imagery, and scientific measurements. The team will also support real-time documentation and initial evaluation of scientific data during astronaut missions to the Moon. Members will then evaluate data sent by the mission, including preliminary research and cataloging of the first lunar samples collected by NASA since 1972.

“The Artemis III geology team will have the unique opportunity to analyze early samples from the Moon’s south pole region, which will not only help us gain new insights into the formation of our Solar System but also plan and lay the groundwork for future Artemis missions.” A long-term presence on the Moon,” said Jim Free, deputy director of NASA’s Office of Research Systems.