NASA Selects Three Investigations for Human Moon Base Program
NASA has selected three scientific investigations to establish humanity’s first lunar outpost, known as Moon Base. The missions will search for underground caves, investigate hidden deposits of lunar ice, and monitor environmental hazards on the lunar surface. These payloads were chosen through NASA’s Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon (PRISM) program and will be delivered via the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative.
Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, stated that the agency is building an interplanetary survival guide to ensure science goes first to the lunar surface. The goal is to provide future astronaut crews with vital information, resources, and safety precautions ahead of time. These selections aim to minimize astronaut risks while preparing for sending the first astronauts to Mars.
Lunar Environment Monitoring Station to Track Moonquakes and Other Lunar Hazards
To monitor environmental conditions and potential hazards over an extended period, the Lunar Environment Monitoring Station — South Pole (LEMS-SP) will serve as the first chosen project by deploying an autonomous station.
Radiation levels on the lunar surface are roughly 2.6 times higher than on Earth. Monitoring station data will assist in deepening the understanding of the Moon’s environment.
Geophysical Instruments for Marius Lunar Pit Investigation to Search for Underground Lava Tubes
The second project, known as the Geophysical Instruments for Marius Lunar pit Investigation (GIMLI), will examine the Marius Hills Pit to determine if it leads to a cavern that could shelter future astronauts from radiation and extreme temperatures. The pit functions as a skylight roughly the size of an American football field and about as deep as a 10-story building, situated in one of the Moon’s most volcanically varied regions. GIMLI will utilize ground-penetrating radar, seismic sensors, and a device to measure the local gravitational field to see below the surface.
Nathaniel Putzig of the Planetary Science Institute serves as principal investigator, working in partnership with the Norwegian Space Agency and Honeybee Robotics. Gareth Morgan, PSI Senior Scientist and Deputy Principal Investigator, explained that confirming a substantial lava tube would give an insight into how volcanism operated on the moon while offering astronauts protection from radiation and the dramatic temperature swings on the lunar surface.
Depth Imager with Spectral and Color Optics to Measure Hidden Lunar Ice
Carrying out the initial direct measurements from the lunar surface of ice preserved inside small, exceptionally cold regions known as micro-cold traps, the Depth Imager with Spectral and Color Optics (DISCO) payload acts as the third project.
Brad Bailey, director of the Exploration Science Strategy Integration Office in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, noted that these investigations expand the frontier of lunar exploration and advance innovative technologies for Artemis and Moon Base programs. NASA is increasing its cadence of lunar missions as it partners with American companies to deliver payloads to the lunar surface and orbit, including the addition of Blue Origin’s New Glenn heavy-lift rocket to the roster of launch vehicles the agency will use for its missions up to June 2030.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next crewed landing mission scheduled for the lunar surface?
NASA plans to land astronauts near the lunar South Pole during the Artemis IV mission in 2028, where crew members will spend approximately a week conducting new science.
Which commercial launch provider was recently added to NASA’s roster for future missions?
Blue Origin’s New Glenn heavy-lift rocket was added to the NASA Launch Services (NLS) II contract awards to support missions up to June 2030.
How deep and wide is the Marius Hills Pit targeted by the GIMLI mission?
The Marius Hills Pit features an opening roughly the size of an American football field and is about as deep as a 10-story building is tall.