Plate Nº 44 · recorded October 8, 2026
Space & AstronomyReported finding
NASA Picks Three Missions to Find Caves, Ice and Hazards for First Moon Base
NASA has picked three investigations to scout lava-tube caves, micro-cold-trap ice and moonquake hazards before astronauts arrive to build the first lunar outpost.
By Elena Vasquez4 min read866 words
In brief
- NASA selected three PRISM investigations on October 8, 2026, to prepare for humanity's first Moon base.
- GIMLI will study the Marius Hills Pit, which may connect to an extensive underground lava tube.
- DISCO will make the first direct surface measurements of ice in lunar micro-cold traps.
- LEMS-SP will detect moonquakes and micrometeoroid impacts at the lunar south pole.
- All three payloads will fly to the Moon through NASA's CLPS commercial delivery initiative.
NASA has selected three scientific investigations to prepare for humanity's first Moon base, with missions that will hunt for underground caves, uncover hidden ice, and track dangerous surface conditions.
The agency announced the choices on October 8, 2026, through its Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon (PRISM) program. Commercial landers flying under NASA's CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative will carry the instruments to the lunar surface as part of the Moon Base Program.
Each investigation tackles a different obstacle to a lasting human presence: potential natural shelters, usable resources, and hazards that future habitats must withstand. Together they support NASA's Artemis and Moon Base programs.
"NASA Science is building the ultimate interplanetary survival guide to ensure that science goes first to the lunar surface to provide our future astronaut crews with the vital information, resources, and safety precautions needed ahead of time to survive the night on the Moon," said Nicky Fox, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington.
What will monitor moonquakes and micrometeoroids?
The first investigation, the Lunar Environment Monitoring Station – South Pole (LEMS-SP), will set up an autonomous station to track environmental conditions and threats over an extended period.
One task is detecting micrometeoroids — tiny pieces of space debris striking the surface. Unlike Earth, the Moon lacks a substantial atmosphere to burn up incoming objects, so impacts pose a real risk to future equipment and habitats.
The station will also measure volatiles, substances that readily turn into gas, within the Moon's extremely thin outer layer of gases. Tracking them helps scientists understand how the lunar environment changes over time.
A short-period seismometer will detect vibrations and seismic activity, including moonquakes. Those measurements could reveal hazards NASA must account for when designing structures and installing sensitive equipment. Dr. Mehdi Benna of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, leads the investigation.
Could hidden caves shelter astronauts?
The second investigation targets one of the Moon's most intriguing possibilities: enormous underground passages that could serve as natural shelters.
Called Geophysical Instruments for Marius Lunar pit Investigation (GIMLI), the mission will study the Marius Hills Pit, an opening in the lunar surface that may connect to an extensive underground lava tube.
Lava tubes form when the outer surface of flowing lava cools and hardens while molten rock keeps moving beneath it. Once the lava drains away, hollow tunnels remain. Scientists believe similar formations may exist beneath parts of the Moon's volcanic terrain.
GIMLI will use geophysical measurements to determine whether the pit connects to a larger passage, while also providing new insights into the volcanic processes that shaped the Moon.
If large underground spaces are confirmed, the payoff could be significant. The lunar surface endures intense temperature swings, harmful ionizing radiation, and frequent impacts from tiny space rocks. Lava tubes could offer more stable temperatures and natural shielding, letting astronauts rely partly on the Moon's own geology instead of entirely on built structures.
Confirming these spaces — and their size — could influence where NASA places future habitats and how it designs them. Dr. Nathaniel Putzig of the Planetary Science Institute serves as principal investigator.
Where is the water ice?
The third investigation targets another essential resource: water ice. The Depth Imager with Spectral and Color Optics (DISCO) payload will make the first direct surface measurements of ice inside micro-cold traps — small, exceptionally cold regions that receive little or no direct sunlight, allowing ice to persist.
Mapping where the ice sits, how much exists, and how it is distributed will show whether it can become a practical resource. Water launched from Earth is expensive. Accessible lunar ice could let astronauts collect water locally and potentially process it into oxygen and hydrogen.
DISCO will also study physical properties of the surface, including what happens during landing: rocket exhaust can blast dust and loose material across the ground, potentially damaging nearby equipment. Researchers will additionally examine terrain stability to gauge how safely astronauts, rovers and hardware can move around.
Dr. Ariel Deutsch of NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley leads DISCO.
Why does this matter for Mars?
The three investigations complement each other. LEMS-SP clarifies environmental threats, GIMLI tests whether lava tubes offer natural protection, and DISCO examines water resources and surface behavior.
The results could shape everything from habitat placement to equipment design and systems that let astronauts use resources already on the Moon.
"Each new PRISM selection strengthens our ability to deliver ambitious, transformative science to the lunar surface," said Brad Bailey, director of the Exploration Science Strategy Integration Office in NASA's Science Mission Directorate. "These investigations exemplify how Artemis and Moon Base are expanding the frontier of lunar exploration, advancing innovative technologies, deepening our understanding of the Moon's environment, and paving the way for future astronaut missions."
NASA plans to increase the frequency of its lunar missions as it prepares to build the base, using CLPS partnerships with American companies to deliver payloads to the surface and orbit. Beyond helping astronauts live and work on the Moon, the knowledge gained could prove essential to the agency's longer-term goal: sending humans to Mars.
via ScienceDaily: Space & Time (Source)