WATCH: NASA to livestream unveiling of landing sites for Artemis 3 mission today

NASA is launching its Artemis missions this year to return humans to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The Artemis mission will begin with the Artemis 1 launch which is scheduled for August 29 at 9:33am from the Kennedy Space Center. Artemis 1 will be an unmanned mission carrying only manikins to test and simulate the living conditions of astronauts and conduct various experiments.

Earlier this month, NASA administrator Bill Nelson said, “To all of us that gaze up at the Moon, dreaming of the day humankind returns to the lunar surface, folks, we're here. We are going back.”

NASA will today unveil its landing sites for the upcoming Artemis 3 mission which is scheduled for launch in 2025. The briefing can be watched online on the agency’s website. According to space.com, NASA is targeting the South Pole of the Moon for the Artemis spacecraft landing. It is believed that the water is present in the form of ice in shallow craters on the lunar south pole.

NASA said in a statement, "Each of the selected regions, from which specific landing sites could be selected, is of scientific interest and was evaluated based on terrain, communications, and lighting conditions, as well as ability to meet science objectives.”

"NASA will engage with the broader science community in the coming months to discuss the merits of each region,” the agency further added. 

How to Watch the NASA briefing 

The briefing will take place today at 18:00 GMT (11:30 pm IST) on NASA’s website. Alternatively, you can click here to watch the event. The NASA briefing will be livestreamed.

NASA will announce the chosen landing sites and locations for the Artemis missions planned to send man back to the Moon.