Arizona scientists assist NASA as Artemis prepares to return to the Moon

Four scientists with Arizona ties will help advise Artemis astronauts on surface activities, and NASA's Artemis program plans crewed Moon landings in 2028.

Four scientists with Arizona ties are joining a team that will advise NASA's Artemis astronauts on activities during Moon surface excursions. Artemis is a multi-mission program that plans human landings in 2028 and includes five missions, the last two of which are planned as crewed Moon landings. A recent Artemis probe launch sent a crew to orbit the Moon; that mission is separate from the planned surface landings. The Arizona scientists named in reports are Kristen Bennett of Northern Arizona University and Jamie Molaro, Hanna Sizemore and Cathy Weitz of the Planetary Science Institute. Known details: - Four scientists are named: Kristen Bennett (Northern Arizona University) and Jamie Molaro, Hanna Sizemore and Cathy Weitz (Planetary Science Institute, Tucson), though some are based outside Arizona. - Their work includes developing plans for sample collection and photography and advising astronauts in real time during surface explorations. - The planned landing site is at the Moon's south pole, which presents different terrain than the equatorial Apollo sites. - Artemis consists of five missions, with the last two planned as crewed Moon landings and a target for crewed surface landings in 2028. - Arizona scientists previously supported Apollo 17 in 1972 with duties such as map-plotting, panorama analysis, note-taking and television taping. Summary: Their involvement continues Arizona's history of supporting lunar missions and will focus on on-the-ground science planning and live guidance as astronauts explore. The Artemis program plans crewed Moon landings in 2028.