This Week in Space 234

In our ongoing quest to develop a moon base, could we possibly utilize the area beneath the surface of the moon in order to make the moon habitable? In this episode of This Week in Space, Tariq Malik and guest host Mike Wall of Space.com talk with Than Putzig of the Planetary Science Institute about a NASA-backed payload bound for the Marius Hills Pit, a roughly 50-meter-wide opening that may lead into a lunar lava tube to gather more data about these formations on the Moon and the possibility of these lunar caves becoming the Moon's first living habitats for humans. Putzig explains how geophysical instruments on a rover could detect hidden voids beneath the surface and measure the size of these lava tubes. We also ask Than how these lava tubes form, what a follow-up robotic explorer could reveal, and how this research fits alongside NASA’s Artemis plans for a south polar moon base. Join us!

Headlines:

• Clear Images Emerge of China's Secretive Shenzhou Space Plane
• Virgin Galactic Unveils New Delta Class Spaceplane for Tourism
• Remembering Star Trek Legends Walter Koenig and Sir Patrick Stewart

Main Topic: Exploring Lunar Caves and the Gimli Mission

• Introduction to Lunar Caves, Pits, and the Quest for Lava Tubes
• NASA's Gimli Mission and Selection to Explore Marius Hills Pit
• Science Goals: Detecting and Mapping Lunar Lava Tubes for Potential Habitats
• Details on Geophysical Instruments and Survey Techniques
• Potential Benefits of Lava Tubes for Lunar Habitat Planning
• Technical and Logistical Challenges for Accessing and Using Lunar Lava Tubes
• Parallels with Lava Tubes on Mars and Planetary Science Collaboration
• Building Teams and Proposals at the Planetary Science Institute
• Future Steps for the Gimli Mission and Outreach Efforts

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Links

• China's secretive space plane caught on camera in incredible new photo released by US military
• Watch Virgin Galactic's new 'Delta-class' space plane take to the skies for the 1st time
• Patrick Stewart, renowned actor and ‘Star Trek’s’ Captain Picard, dies at 86
• 'Star Trek' legend and sci-fi luminary Walter Koenig dies at 90
• NASA's hunting for a secret underground cave on the moon
• Journey Across The Moon - Stunning Images From The SELENE Lunar Orbiter
• LPI - Marius Hills
• NASA Adds New Science Investigations for Moon Base