NASA Selects Planetary Science Institute to Lead Investigation of Lunar Cave at Marius Hills Pit
NASA has selected a Planetary Science Institute-led proposal to investigate whether a large underground cave extends beyond the Marius Hills Pit on the Moon. The mission aims to determine if the volcanic skylight can eventually provide a safe haven for future Artemis astronauts to escape extreme surface temperatures and radiation.
Payload Suites Selected Through the PRISM Program
The mission is funded through NASA’s Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon (PRISM) program and will utilize the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative to reach the lunar surface, NASA stated. Nicky Fox, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, noted that the selected payload suites help build an interplanetary survival guide to give future crews vital safety precautions ahead of time.
The selected proposal, named the Geophysical Instruments for Marius Lunar pit Investigation (GIMLI), is led by Than Putzig, PSI Associate Director and Senior Scientist. The Norwegian Space Agency is providing ground-penetrating radar for the project, while Honeybee Robotics will build much of the robot equipment and instrumentation.
Advanced Instruments Probe Subsurface Properties
GIMLI will use an advanced suite of instruments to investigate the Marius Hills Pit directly from the lunar surface. According to Phys.org, the instrument payload includes ground-penetrating radar, seismic sensors, a gravimeter, and cameras to provide imagery of the pit walls and surface.
Putzig explained that combining active-source seismic methods with ground-penetrating radar and gravity measurements will offer a clearer understanding of subsurface properties, specifically targeting the expected detection of a lava tube extending away from the pit. Gareth Morgan, a PSI Senior Scientist and deputy principal investigator for GIMLI, added that confirming a substantial lava tube will yield insight into basaltic volcanism on the Moon by allowing researchers to apply knowledge of terrestrial caves.
Frequently Asked Questions About the GIMLI Lunar Mission
When was the GIMLI mission selection announced?
NASA updated its science investigations announcement on October 2, 2026, to include the GIMLI payload suite alongside the LEMS-SP and DISCO programs.
Which organizations are partnering with the Planetary Science Institute on GIMLI?
The project involves Honeybee Robotics building equipment, the Norwegian Space Agency supplying ground-penetrating radar, and co-investigators from Boise State University, Johns Hopkins University, the Lunar and Planetary Institute, and the University of Oslo.
What specific location on the Moon is GIMLI targeting?
The research focuses on the Marius Hills Pit located on the nearside of the Moon within the Oceanus Procellarum region, a prominent volcanic site featuring an opening to potential underground lava tubes.