Newly Selected NASA Mission Will Hunt for Caves on the Moon
The GIMLI mission will use radar, seismic sensors and cameras to test whether a lava tube extends from the pit, scientists said.
- NASA selected a proposal led by the Planetary Science Institute to investigate the Marius Hill Pit for a hidden lava tube, deploying the GIMLI mission to the lunar surface.
- Senior Scientist Than Putzig plans to reintroduce active-source seismic methods, largely unused since the Apollo era, combining them with ground-penetrating radar to detect subsurface properties.
- Partnering with Honeybee Robotics and The Norwegian Space Agency, PSI will utilize funding through NASA's PRISM program, using spacecraft from Commercial Lunar Payloads Services to deliver instruments.
- Identifying a lava tube could provide natural protection for future lunar surface operations. "Confirming a substantial lava tube would give us an insight into how volcanism operated on the Moon," explained Gareth Morgan, PSI Senior Scientist.
- Even if no cave exists, the investigation will reveal new lunar geology by examining the walls of MHP, providing clues about the Moon's volcanic history and how lava moved across the landscape.
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62 Articles
NASA wants to find out what lies beneath a huge lunar opening and whether these structures could protect astronauts from the harsh conditions of space
Marius Hill Pit could house a large cave on the Moon that could serve as a haven for NASA astronauts.
NASA Investigating Large Hole on Moon That May Open Into "Subterranean Secrets"
NASA is preparing to investigate a striking hole on the Moon’s surface that scientists believe may open into a vast underground cave system formed by ancient volcanic activity. The feature, known as the Marius Hill Pit, appears as a dark circular opening in the lunar landscape, measuring up to 150 feet deep and as much […]
NASA Targets Moon Pit That Could Lead to Vast Underground Haven for Astronauts
NASA's GIMLI mission will probe the Marius Hills Pit with radar, seismic sensors and gravity tools to confirm if it opens into a large lava tube. Such a cave could shield astronauts from radiation and temperature extremes while revealing the Moon's volcanic past. Recent confirmation of a smaller tube in Mare Tranquillitatis adds urgency to the search.
A huge cave could hide beneath the surface of the Moon and become a key advantage for future manned missions. To check if it exists, NASA selected a scientific project that will seek to explore the depths of a mysterious lunar well and determine if it connects with an ancient lava tunnel. According to DW, research, called GIMLI (Geophysical Instruments for Marius Lunar Pit Investigation) seeks to discover what lies beneath the Marius Hills Pit, …
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