The Moon’s surface is home to hundreds of steep holes known as Moon pits, which scientists suspect are subterranean tunnels. The pits, which are more similar to enormous caves, are not only proof of the Moon’s geological past, but they may also serve as a safe hideout for future lunar explorers.
Although imaging spacecraft helps scientists figure out where the holes are, examining them further to find what is underneath has never been done before. In addition to conducting scientific documentation, if one day sending humans down there becomes another mission, it’s critical to ensure that the holes are actually safe for humans to visit.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has the potential for disclosure. The agency will have its first spelunking mission using two robots called RoboCrane and DAEDALUS. “We have gathered a spectrum of over 60 experts in many different areas of science and engineering to design a mission to enter a pit on the Moon’s surface and explore the entrance to a lunar cave,” ESA stated on Instagram.
ESA’s proposal for a mission to explore the Moon pits
The Lunar Cave Mission was initiated in 2019 when ESA released the Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP), which solicited ideas for detecting, mapping, and exploring lunar caverns. ESA’s progress on the mission has brought the agency to the forefront of space exploration, as it goes not only to the exploration of the Moon‘s surface but also its subsurface.
Image: Marius Hills Pit | ESA
The project is surely backed by professionals, including lunar pit mission robot specialists and ESA experts. The mission might launch as early as 2033 on Ariane 6, with the robots landing on the lunar surface using the European Large Logistic Lander (EL3). The first exploration target will be the Marius Hills hole, which will take around 14 Earth days to complete a full day on the Moon.
“A mission like this would require the development of innovative technologies, encouraging the space sector to develop new solutions compared to previous lunar missions,” said cave scientist and planetary lava tube expert, Francesco Sauro, to ESA. According to him, the mission will not only be a crucial step towards exploring the Moon but also Mars.
Technology to support the mission
The Moon Cave Mission will employ two robots that will perform two different tasks. The robotic crane RoboCrane is a robotic arm-equipped instrument that will lower the cave-exploring robot DAEDALUS into the Moon’s pit.
DAEDALUS will explore the cave on its trip down, documenting the entrance to the hallway through the cave and eventually mapping out the area closest to the bottom.
DAEDALUS is a 46-centimeter-diameter sphere outfitted with a stereoscopic camera, a laser radar for 3D mapping of cave interiors, temperature and radiation monitoring devices, and an expendable arm for clearing obstructions and testing rock properties.
“A view into the interior of a lunar cave would be true exploration – it would reveal unexpected scientific information,” Francesco stated. The mission’s feasibility has been confirmed, and it will be a wonderful scientific exploration.
However, the Moon Cave Mission’s strategy will need to be reviewed further by the team. A lunar test range will also be prepared to determine what strategy is most appropriate for the project. There is still plenty for them to accomplish in the coming years to completely fulfill their purpose.
