The European Space Agency ( ESA ) say it want humanity to one day take long - term shelter in underground cave on the Moon .
While the open of the Moon has been explored , walk , and evengolfed upon , relatively small is know about what lurks below the airfoil . ESA wants to explore beneath this surface , particularly pits that global geologists have suggested could be have by the collapse of lava underground when lava fall under the surface over a billion years ago .
The lunar Calophyllum longifolium ( bombastic , dark plains ) were get by Brobdingnagian flows of basaltic lava , almost on the dot the same type you would see in Hawaii , that flood out after impacts from various types of outer space rock ‘n’ roll .
“ Exploring and function these tubes could provide new information about the Moon ’s geology , but they could also be an interesting option as retentive - term shelter for future human visitors to the Moon , ” Francesco Sauro , music director of ESA’sPANGAEAplanetary geology astronaut preparation , said in astatement .
“ They would shield astronauts from cosmic radiation sickness and micrometeorites and possibly bring home the bacon admittance to gelid water and other resource trap underground . ”
NASA is exploring the idea , too . " This week our planetary scientists are in Hawaii , search lava tubes to easily empathize alike construction on the Moon and Mars , " theywrote on Twitter . " These cave might contain evidence of ancient life on Mars or serve as shelter on the Moon . "
The government agency has put out acall for ideason how to explore country under the lunar Calophyllum longifolium , and what else such missions could investigate . ESA say they ’re looking for theme for delegacy beyond just how to get at and sail the cave , for example agency that a communication system between hugger-mugger cave and the outside world could be instal .
“ deputation construct may be based on a single roamer or a distributed system of satellite , robotic or rover systems that operate together , ” Loredana Bessone , who is direct the hunt for ideas as head of analogue field testing and exploration preparation at ESA , said in astatement .
“ Either way , we are looking for systems that would bring down on the lunar surface , identify and access a cave and contribute to the scientific geographic expedition of the Moon . ”
