In 2009, a minor breakthrough occurred when a group of specialists detected a significant cavity on the lunar surface, providing evidence for the possible existence of caves. These findings were a direct result of magma cooling beneath the surface. Subsequently, researchers revisited their discoveries from 2010, obtained through NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, a spacecraft that has been circling the Moon since 2009, charting the terrain and scouting potential landing spots for upcoming missions. Lorenzo Bruzzone, the project’s coordinator, shared with Wired that, “We examined these images using sophisticated signal processing techniques recently developed in our lab, and determined that a portion of the radar reflections from a section of the Sea of Tranquility could be linked to an underground passage.”
Leonardo Carrer, the primary author of the paper, stated: “This finding presents the initial direct proof of an accessible rock tunnel beneath the moon’s surface. It is highly probable that it is an emptied lava tube.” As previously established by scientists, the Moon is not a particularly safe environment for human presence. The presence of meteorites and radiation makes the celestial body a highly inhospitable place. In fact, cosmic and solar radiation is up to 150 times stronger than what we experience on Earth, and it is evident that the threat of meteorites is constant. Therefore, it is imperative to locate sheltered areas to protect astronauts, and this discovery appears to be a promising first step in the right direction.
The caves are essential for establishing long-term infrastructure in space, serving as potential temporary habitats for astronauts. Despite their significance, it is worth noting that these caves may not be the most convenient living spaces. Experts have indicated that astronauts might have to descend using abseiling techniques and rely on jet packs to exit the caves due to their depth.
