National Academies Select Four Moon Sites for Exploration
A new report identifies key lunar regions for future NASA human exploration and scientific research.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Space
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The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has named Bhabha Crater, Mons Hadley, Orientale Basin, and Aristarchus Plateau as primary targets for future human lunar missions. NASA commissioned the study to guide the Artemis program and long-term moon-to-Mars planning.
Why it matters
Identifying specific, geologically diverse sites allows astronauts to maximize scientific output and gain critical insights into the viability of long-term human habitation on the lunar surface.
The report identified four distinct lunar sites for study, noting that the moon has lacked active plate tectonics and experienced an end to volcanic activity more than 1 billion years ago.
The players
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
This private, nonprofit institution provides expert advice on some of the most pressing challenges facing the nation and the world.
NASA
This United States government agency is responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.
The details
The committee prioritized these locations to facilitate advanced scientific research, noting that the moon offers a unique historical record of the solar system. Researchers highlighted that Apollo 15 hardware left at the Mons Hadley region over 50 years ago provides a rare opportunity to study how biological and mechanical materials endure in the lunar environment.
Timeline
Volcanic activity on the moon ceased over 1 billion years ago.
The Apollo 15 mission arrived at the lunar surface more than 50 years ago.
The National Academies published its report on October 21, 2026.
The Big Picture
This study shifts the focus of lunar exploration from initial surface access to specialized geological investigation within the framework of the Artemis program. It marks a departure from earlier missions by prioritizing sites that address gaps in our understanding of lunar history.
Future missions to these sites are expected to drive advancements in extravehicular exploration technologies, potentially extending the current 2-kilometer operational limit. These breakthroughs will likely inform the development of more durable life-support systems and instrumentation for long-term space travel.
The takeaway
The selection of these four sites emphasizes that the moon remains a vital laboratory for understanding the history of our solar system. Researchers should continue to monitor how these legacy sites contribute to the broader goals of human space exploration.
Further reading
For more on lunar mission strategies, visit the Space section.
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