MSP High Ground on Malapert Mountain, Leibniz Plateau Offer Strategic Advantages for Lunar Base Buildout
With Artemis 3 crewed landings planned for 2025-2026 including First Woman / Person of Color on the Moon, landing / EVA sites are being considered by space agencies and independent ventures with special focus on elevated surrounds of Shackleton Crater, presumed initial area of exploration for Artemis Era Astronauts; The 2 highest peaks in the region – Malapert Mountain and Leibniz Beta, with ~ 5 and 6km respective elevations, allow combinations of Earth visibility, illumination, and line of sight to ongoing human and robotic activity at Shackleton as initial settlement occurs