NASA has selected three new scientific investigations to prepare for Moon Base, the agency's planned lunar outpost near the Moon's South Pole. The payload suites were chosen through NASA's Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon (PRISM) programme and will fly to the lunar surface on commercial landers through the CLPS initiative.
The three payload suites
- LEMS-SP (Lunar Environment Monitoring Station, South Pole): an autonomous, long-term environmental and hazard monitoring station. It will monitor falling micrometeoroids, track volatiles drifting into the Moon's thin exosphere and use a short period seismometer to detect seismic events. Principal investigator: Dr. Mehdi Benna, University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
- GIMLI (Geophysical Investigation for Mapping Lunar Interior): will be deployed at the Marius Hills Pit to search for subterranean lava tubes. Such natural underground spaces could protect future astronauts from extreme temperatures, radiation and micrometeoroids. Principal investigator: Dr. Nathaniel Putzig, Planetary Science Institute.
- DISCO (Depth Imager with Spectral and Color Optics): will provide the first direct measurements on the ground of ice in lunar micro cold traps and study how rocket exhaust disturbs the surface and how stable the ground is for mobility. Principal investigator: Dr. Ariel Deutsch, NASA Ames Research Center.
These PRISM selections will directly help NASA minimize risks to our astronauts while maximizing our agency goals as we set up humanity’s first lunar outpost in preparation for sending the first astronauts to Mars.Nicky Fox, Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA
Why it matters for lunar logistics
All three payloads will reach the Moon on commercial landers under CLPS, which supports the Moon Base programme. NASA says it is increasing its cadence of lunar missions, which means more demand for commercial delivery to the lunar surface. Our explainer on CLPS describes how these deliveries work.
Frequently asked questions
What is NASA PRISM?
Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon, a NASA programme that selects science instruments to fly to the Moon on commercial landers.
How will the payloads reach the Moon?
Through NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, in which commercial companies deliver payloads to the lunar surface.
Where will GIMLI be deployed?
At the Marius Hills Pit, to investigate whether it leads into a large underground lava tube.
Related reading
- Commercial Lunar Deliveries: How NASA Buys Rides to the Moon
- Artemis Accords Pass 75 Signatories
- Apollo 11: The First Moon Landing
Sources
Cover image: The Marius Hills Pit, a possible lava tube skylight, imaged by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Credit: NASA (PIA12954), public domain.