NASA lunar base preparation research

NASA has initiated several research projects under the Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon (PRISM) program to prepare for permanent human habitation on the Moon. These projects will be delivered through the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative.

Initial efforts focused on the Geophysical Instruments for Marius Lunar pit Investigation (GIMLI), a project led by the Planetary Science Institute (PSI) in partnership with Honeybee Robotics and the Norwegian Space Agency. This mission aims to investigate the Marius Hills Pit to determine if it provides access to subterranean lava tubes, which could offer protection from solar radiation and extreme temperatures.

Subsequent developments expanded the scope of the PRISM program to include three distinct research projects. In addition to the GIMLI mission, NASA selected the Lunar Environment Monitoring Station – South Pole (LEMS-SP) to monitor seismic activity, volatile materials, and micrometeoroids. The program also includes the DISCO project, which will investigate hidden ice in permanently shadowed regions to identify potential sources of water, oxygen, or fuel for future crews.