NASA to investigate potential lunar caves at Marius Hills Pit

NASA has selected the GIMLI (Geophysical Instruments for Marius Lunar pit Investigation) project to investigate whether the Marius Hills Pit on the Moon contains large underground caverns. The mission aims to determine if the pit extends into a subterranean gallery using a suite of instruments, including radar, seismic devices, gravimeters, and cameras.

If such cavities exist, they could provide vital natural shelter for future lunar missions, protecting astronauts from radiation and meteoroid impacts. The project is part of NASA’s PRISM program, which utilizes Commercial Lunar Payloads Services (CLPS) to deliver scientific instruments to the lunar surface.

This investigation follows research published in the journal Icarus, which utilized high-resolution imagery from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to identify potential access points to underground environments. Scientists have identified several promising formations characterized by steep walls and persistent shadows, suggesting the presence of rocky overhangs or openings to subsurface voids.