Artemis II pilot Victor Glover is publicly questioning NASA's approach to landing astronauts at the lunar south pole, suggesting equatorial sites might serve early missions better as the program works toward its long-term base-building goals.

What Happened

Glover told attendees at NASA's Exploration Science Forum on July 21 that NASA's target of landing near the moon's south pole may not be the right first step for Artemis IV. 'I think we need to be realistic and work our way to the south pole, and maybe not try to go there first,' he said, according to Space News. Glover argued equatorial landings would place crews in regions reachable by orbits that allow quick transfers back to Earth in case of emergency—unlike the near-rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO) required for south pole missions, which only opens launch windows once a week. 'You're stuck for a week,' Glover said. 'That's a big deal to me, and I don't like that plan … The equator gives me opportunity to save that person.'

Why It Matters

The debate carries direct implications for SpaceX's Starship Human Landing System, one of two vehicles NASA has contracted for Artemis moon landings alongside Blue Origin's Blue Moon. Both landers have faced significant delays, raising questions about their readiness for NASA's target of a late 2028 first crewed landing on Artemis IV. The NRHO orbit that south pole missions require presents operational challenges SpaceX and Blue Origin have flagged during development. Glover's comments suggest a phased approach—starting with accessible equatorial sites before pushing to the resource-rich but operationally complex south pole—could give both lander programs more manageable initial targets while still advancing toward NASA's longer-term surface base goals.

The Bottom Line

NASA remains committed to the south pole as its primary landing zone, driven by water ice deposits that could support a sustainable lunar presence. Whether officials incorporate Glover's concerns into Artemis planning decisions ahead of 2028 will depend on how they weigh mission accessibility against the strategic value of reaching the poles first.