A committee co-chaired by Scripps Institution of Oceanography geologist James Day has recommended four potential crewed lunar missions. UC San Diego reported October 27 that the independent National Academy of Sciences study, issued October 21 and commissioned by NASA, makes a case for exploring different parts of the moon. Sources: Scripps researcher co-chairs lunar mission report.
The proposed locations include the far side, the lunar limb, an Apollo landing site and a near-side volcanic plateau. Their scientific goals range from astronomy to geological sampling and studying changes at a previously visited site. These are recommendations in the report, rather than announced NASA landing selections. Sources: Scripps researcher co-chairs lunar mission report.
Compiled by San Diego Sentinel Staff with AI assistance from the linked public records. First published October 27, 2026 08:09 -07:00 (Pacific time).