NASA selects GIMLI project to search for a lunar lava tube

--> NASA has selected the GIMLI project, which is intended to determine whether a possible large underground cave or lava tube extends from the lunar sinkhole Marius Hill Pit (MHP). If such a void exists, it could potentially provide future astronauts with natural protection from radiation and sharp temperature fluctuations on the Moon’s surface, ScienceDaily reports .

The project will receive funding through NASA’s Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon, or PRISM, program. Scientific instruments will be delivered to the Moon by a lander and rover provided under the Commercial Lunar Payloads Services initiative.

The Geophysical Instruments for Marius Lunar pit Investigation project, abbreviated as GIMLI, is led by Planetary Science Institute Deputy Director and Senior Scientist Than Putzig. The institute is working on the mission with Honeybee Robotics, which will manufacture a significant portion of the equipment, and in partnership with the Norwegian Space Agency.