US And China Are Looking At The Same Moon Landing Sites

A map of the south polar region of the moon showing 13 landing regions NASA is considering for Artemis 3. Credit: NASA  

Space News: NASA and China are eyeing the same landing sites near the lunar south pole 

HELSINKI — China and the United States have identified overlapping potential landing sites at the south pole of the moon as both countries ramp up their lunar exploration ambitions. 

The partially intersecting plans for lunar landings highlight the new interest in particular lunar resources and pose questions as to how competing countries implement and coordinate their respective moon exploration plans. 

NASA earlier this month announced the selection of 13 potential locations for the Artemis 3 crewed mission which is currently scheduled to launch in late 2025. 

NASA candidate landing sites, each about 15 by 15 kilometers, are located within six degrees of latitude of the south pole. 

Meanwhile, a Chinese journal article on potential lunar south pole landing sites, authored by Chang’e-4 lunar mission commander Zhang He and others, identifies 10 suitable spots near the lunar south pole. The sites are thought to be related to the country’s Chang’e-7 mission, currently scheduled for 2024.  

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WNU Editor: The moon race is on .... US-China in a heated tit-for-tat moon race (Asia Times). More here .... Not just Artemis: China and Russia plan to put boots on the moon, too (Space.com). 

US And China Are Looking At The Same Moon Landing Sites  

Space wars? NASA and China are eyeing some of the SAME landing sites near the moon's south pole as the rivals may compete for limited lunar resources in coming years -- Daily Mail  

NASA and China Want to Land on the Same Areas on the Moon -- Gizmodo  

Awkward! The US and China Are Looking at the Same Moon Landing Sites -- Futurism  

NASA calls on China to be 'open and transparent' with its lunar missions after revelation that its potential landing sites OVERLAP with US destinations on the moon's south pole -- Daily Mail 

NASA, China to Have Same Moon Landing Locations; Will This Be A Problem? Here's Why They Overlapped -- Tech Times

The US And China Reportedly Want The Same Moon Landing Sites: “This Could Be The First Potential Point of Conflict Over Resources Beyond Earth” -- The Mind Unleashed