NASA | Peeking Into Lunar Pits

Since 2009, NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has spotted hundreds of conspicuous holes on the Moon. These steep-walled "pits" might lead to underground environments sheltered from radiation, meteorite impacts, and extreme temperatures, making them valuable sites for future exploration.

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[catguta]

Suddenly, the setting of Heinlein's "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" became a blueprint.

[aserta]

These are very interesting features on the surface of Luna. I wonder if the lava tubes are a viable prospect for an initial Lunar city.

Here's my perspective. Here on Earth we have earthquakes, continental drift and so on and so forth. On the Moon, all of that stopped ages ago. The collapse of these natural structures either occurred during a massive meteor impact that shook the area or simple structural weakness.

BUT, and it's a big one, if these tubes are ok deeper in, then we could strengthen them via a lot of means and populate them. Because the likelihood of one falling on top of the settlers would be very small if precautions are taken. Probably the cheapest way to go to the Moon to establish a presence. No fear from impacts, no fear of radiation, shade and who knows, perhaps usable materials much more easily to obtain than say, mining the surface or crashing a meteor on it.

Just my 2 cents.

[kenlee]

Pleas slow this to 1/2 speed, it's too much too fast, turns into a frustrating pause fest.

[Rrenched]

Seems to me that you could enclose one and use it for a beginning. I'm talking Lunacity here, folks!

[Akhremenko-SOI]

Six human lunar missions and none that had planned to explore these caves? Great thinkers NASA !

[obakasan]

anyone know the artist of the music used in this video?

[dipi]

APOD 2017-10-25 _(»Marius Hills and a Hole in the Moon«)_ sent me here. Cheers!

[ronusa]

NASA can you find one that might be a good base? Shielding from radiation is a good reason. Who knows I might get a chance to fly on the moon. It was in a SF book I read as a kid. A massive underground chasm was a home for people and because of the low gravity the sport was flying. ;o) 

[TheBowersj]

You've guy's known about this for 6 years and we've still not seen a mission to go there. What gives, and why is this taking so long?

[docatomics]

~ one Earth's lava tubes is another dusty super low pressure atmosphere ice ball moon's sublimated water ice my neighbours
= not unlike this one, except sublimated & not melted & drained off, just evaporated away
+ cosmic ray & particle bombarded Ямал - невероятная воронка Giant Hole in the ground - Yamal (Russia)

[leveilleurnonsilencieux]

i wish they could show us same quality of image of landing apollo missions ! 
liars

[kenlee]

Mars must have millions of miles of lava tubes.