We present a high-resolution geologic map of the Rubin crater region, located on Mons Amundsen, which has been identified as a promising site for future lunar exploration (AOI E in Wueller et al., 2024). We developed a design reference mission (DRM) to highlight the region's potential for addressing key lunar science goals, particularly those related to the early lunar bombardment history, lunar crustal rocks, volatiles, impact processes at multiple scales, and regolith properties, as outlined by the National Research Council (2007). The Rubin crater, which formed about 1.58 billion years ago during the Eratosthenian period, excavated material from depths of up to 320 m, potentially reaching the underlying South Pole-Aitken (SPA) massif, Mons Amundsen. This makes the crater's ejecta material, along with the Amundsen ejecta covering the massif, prime targets for sampling SPA-derived materials that can expand our understanding of early Solar System dynamics and the lunar cratering chronology. Additionally, the region hosts several permanently shadowed regions (PSRs), ideal for studying potential lunar volatiles and the processes affecting their distribution. The DRM proposes nine traverse options for exploration via walking EVAs, the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), and LRV-assisted EVAs, with traverse lengths ranging from 3.6 km to 18.2 km. Each traverse is designed to sample diverse geologic units and address multiple scientific objectives. Given its scientific potential and favorable exploration conditions, the Rubin crater region is an ideal location for testing south polar landing operations, potentially paving the way for more complex missions, such as a Shackleton crater landing. (c) 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of COSPAR. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

In the future, lunar exploration will focus on long-term scientific exploration, identification and utilization of resources, and construction of lunar surface infrastructure, all within a framework of increasing international cooperation. Therefore, China has proposed to establish an international lunar research station (ILRS) in the lunar south polar region. The scientific and engineering suitability of the landing site is a critical element for scientific research station that will operate over years. Compared to previous landed missions, the detection and exploration of volatiles and their role in the history and evolution of the Moon and Solar System is a major new theme. Using multiple datasets, we (1) evaluate the breadth of scientific goals that can be achieved for two potential landing areas (Amundsen crater and Malapert crater) with accessible permanently shadowed regions (PSRs), and (2) examine exploration constraints posed by terrain, temperature, and illumination conditions. Based on this, we determined the landing sites and potential high value exploration areas for each landing area, as well as the science missions that could be performed. Our ILRS siting strategy, which focuses more on scientific constraints than engineering constraints, will provide guidance for possible future ILRS siting areas.