Decoding the Moon: Artemis III’s Revolutionary Instruments Explained

NASA’s Artemis III mission will deploy three scientific instruments on the Moon’s South Pole to study its environment, geology, and potential for supporting life, aiding in future Mars explorations. These instruments will investigate seismic activities, plant growth in lunar conditions, and subsurface characteristics, marking a significant advancement in lunar science.

NASA has chosen the first science instruments designed for astronauts to deploy on the surface of the Moon during Artemis III. Once installed near the lunar South Pole, the three instruments will collect valuable scientific data about the lunar environment, the lunar interior, and how to sustain a long-duration human presence on the Moon, which will help prepare NASA to send astronauts to Mars.

Enhanced Lunar Exploration
“Artemis marks a bold new era of exploration, where human presence amplifies scientific discovery. With these innovative instruments stationed on the Moon’s surface, we’re embarking on a transformative journey that will kick-start the ability to conduct human-machine teaming – an entirely new way of doing science,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. “These three deployed instruments were chosen to begin scientific investigations that will address key Moon to Mars science objectives.”