NASA has chosen a research initiative led by the Planetary Science Institute to explore whether a substantial cavern exists beneath a lunar pit formation. The project, designated the Geophysical Instruments for Marius Lunar pit Investigation, or GIMLI, will receive support through NASA’s Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon program, which utilizes commercial lunar delivery services to transport scientific equipment to the lunar surface.
The investigation will focus on the Marius Hill Pit, a prominent opening located in one of the Moon’s most geologically complex volcanic regions. Researchers studying the Moon from orbit have identified evidence suggesting that caves and lava tubes may exist underground across the lunar surface. If such structures are confirmed at this location, they could eventually provide natural radiation shielding and thermal protection for future astronauts operating on the Moon.
GIMLI will employ multiple complementary technologies to examine subsurface conditions. The mission will combine ground-penetrating radar, active-source seismic sensors, gravimetric measurements, and photographic documentation to detect potential underground voids and determine their dimensions. Honeybee Robotics, a subsidiary of Blue Origin, will serve as the commercial partner, providing project management, constructing specialized instrumentation, and managing operations once the spacecraft reaches the lunar surface.
The research may yield valuable discoveries regardless of whether subsurface caverns are located. Examination of the pit’s walls and surrounding material could clarify how the formation developed and provide insights into the broader geological and volcanic history of the region. The exposed layers of rock and volcanic material visible in the pit walls could demonstrate how lava flowed across and beneath the lunar landscape during past eruptions, potentially indicating intervals between individual volcanic episodes.
The collaborative effort involves researchers from multiple institutions including Boise State University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Oslo. The Norwegian Space Agency will contribute ground-penetrating radar technology to the mission, supporting the international scientific endeavor to expand understanding of the Moon’s volcanic past.
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