NASA has long considered the moon's south pole as the preferred site for the first crewed Artemis landing.
Why the Equator May Be Preferable
Artemis II pilot Victor Glover said in an interview that the agency should look at an easier and safer location near the lunar equator.
He noted that equatorial regions receive more consistent sunlight, which improves power generation for landers and results in milder temperature swings.
Additionally, the terrain tends to be smoother with fewer deep craters and steep slopes, lowering the chance of landing hazards.
The final landing site has not yet been chosen and will depend on further analyses of safety, scientific value and technical feasibility.