Lunar Lava Tube Cave Could House Moon Base

Posted on October 21, 2017

Japanese astronomers have discovered a huge lava tube on the moon that could be used as a future moon base. The discovery was made by the Japan Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (JAXA). JAXA used the Lunar Radar Sounder on its SELENE lunar orbiter.

An intact lava tube underground measuring 50 kilometers (31 miles) was discovered on the Marius Hills of the Moon. JAXA says, "Lava tubes may be the best place to build large-scale lunar bases because their interiors protect from dangerous space radiation, micrometeorite bombardment, and wide temperature oscillations."

A research paper on the discovery was published here in the journal, Geophysical Research Letters.

SPACE
MOON