New Opportunities for Human Settlement on the Moon

Approximately 55 years after Apollo 11's historic landing on the moon, scientists have identified extensive cave systems near the astronauts' landing site, potentially paving the way for human settlements. Analysis of radar images from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, captured in 2010, revealed that certain pits on the moon, which function as "skylights," may lead to underground caves and tunnels.

These caves could offer significant advantages to future lunar explorers by providing natural shelters for bases. The cave studied is accessible via a pit in the Mare Tranquillitatis (Sea of Tranquility), a large basaltic basin where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on July 20, 1969. Despite its historical significance, Mare Tranquillitatis is not an ideal location for long-term human settlement due to the lack of water ice necessary for survival. Hence, scientists are more interested in sites closer to the lunar poles where ice is likely protected by shade.

This pit, one of about 200 openings on the moon’s surface, was first imaged in 2010 and recently confirmed to lead to a cave. According to a study reported in Nature Astronomy by Leonardo Carrer and his colleagues from the University of Trento, Italy, the Mare Tranquillitatis pit is approximately 100 meters wide and between 130 and 170 meters deep, making it the deepest known lunar pit. Refined radar data and computer simulations indicate that some radar reflections originate from subsurface cave conduits tens of meters long, confirming access to an underground cave.

The discovery of these caves is thrilling because they offer promising locations for future lunar shelters that provide protection from harmful cosmic rays and stable temperatures, unlike the lunar surface, where temperatures can fluctuate from 121°C (250°F) in daylight to -133°C (-208°F) at night due to the lack of an atmosphere, the interior of a cave could maintain consistent temperatures, facilitating easier construction of shelters.

The possibility of asteroids hitting the moon without atmospheric protection makes sturdiness essential; caves could offer the necessary structural integrity to withstand impacts. Despite its advantages, the pit’s sheer 100-meter drop poses a challenge. Future explorers will need secure mechanisms, like ladders or jet packs, to safely descend and ascend. The structural integrity of these caves will also require thorough evaluation.

These subsurface systems could extend 30-80 meters in length and span 45 meters in width, sufficient space for multiple "lunar houses" with flat floors ready for construction. Lunar caves like these are likely remnants of ancient lava tubes formed when the moon experienced volcanic activity millions of years ago.

Discovering more such caves near the lunar poles could provide the dual advantage of natural shelters and access to water ice, satisfactory conditions for prolonged human presence. Identifiable from space, these natural formations offer futuristic plans for astronauts to inhabit volcanically forged caves on the moon.

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