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AMERICANALMANAC (Alan Benson) - NASA greenlights probe of moon pit that may hide astronaut shelter

NASA has selected a project to investigate a football-field-sized hole on the moon that may open into a cavern able to shield future astronauts from harsh radiation and temperature swings. The space agency tapped the Planetary Science Institute to lead the Geophysical Instruments for Marius Lunar Pit Investigation, known as GIMLI, after the team announced […] The post NASA greenlights probe of moon pit that may hide astronaut shelter appeared first on American Almanac .

NASA has selected a project to investigate a football-field-sized hole on the moon that may open into a cavern able to shield future astronauts from harsh radiation and temperature swings. The space agency tapped the Planetary Science Institute to lead the Geophysical Instruments for Marius Lunar Pit Investigation, known as GIMLI, after the team announced the project on Monday. The target is the Marius Hills Pit, an opening in one of the moon’s most volcanically varied regions that Japan’s SELENE spacecraft first spotted in 2009. Daily Mail reporting describes an opening roughly the size of an American football field and about as deep as a 10-story building. Scientists want to know whether it leads to a lava tube or larger underground…Open

How does the GIMLI investigation relate to the upcoming Artemis IV mission timeline?
While the GIMLI project is currently focused on mapping the pit, the Artemis IV mission is planned for 2028. This mission intends to send two astronauts to the lunar South Pole for about a week of science. Identifying a verified lava tube at Marius Hills would provide a practical architecture for turning short visits into workable, long-term outposts.
Q&A ID 7073d551-20e9-4750-b97d-0de518315fa3
What is the history of the Marius Hills Pit, and why was it chosen for this specific investigation?
The pit was first spotted in 2009 by Japan’s SELENE spacecraft. It was selected because it is located in one of the moon's most volcanically varied regions. Its walls expose layers of regolith and old lava flows, providing a natural cutaway into the moon’s volcanic past while researchers hunt for usable shelter.
Q&A ID d985444d-9e4d-46e6-96e4-d4272c1aee45
What are the specific hazards on the lunar surface that make finding a cave or lava tube important for future human exploration?
Radiation on the lunar surface is significantly higher than in low Earth orbit, running roughly 2.6 times higher than on the International Space Station and about 200 times higher than on Earth. Additionally, the moon lacks a magnetic shield. Finding a cavern would provide a way for crews to live and work under rock rather than having to haul all their shielding materials from Earth.
Q&A ID 047c761e-fc8e-4ffb-ac31-805de0fc76d5
Which organization was tapped by NASA to lead the GIMLI investigation, and what specific instruments will they use to map the subsurface?
NASA tapped the Planetary Science Institute to lead the project. The team will use a combination of ground-penetrating radar, seismic sensors, and a device that measures the local gravitational field to map what sits below the rim of the pit. This marks a return to intentional active-source seismic methods on the moon, which have not been used since the Apollo missions.
Q&A ID 79336226-f72a-4261-b516-72774cd376ef
What is the specific objective of the Geophysical Instruments for Marius Lunar Pit Investigation (GIMLI) project selected by NASA?
The GIMLI project aims to investigate a football-field-sized hole in the Marius Hills Pit on the moon to determine if it opens into a cavern or lava tube. Such a structure could potentially serve as a shield for future astronauts against harsh radiation and dramatic temperature swings on the lunar surface.
Q&A ID 29d56724-1b40-4a89-8bdc-b32e647527c0
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