Chapter 1: The Case for Lunar Living

For humanity to establish a presence on the Moon, several challenges must be addressed. The Moon lacks an atmosphere and magnetic field, exposing any inhabitants to cosmic threats such as meteors and solar storms, as well as extreme temperature fluctuations. One proposed solution is to utilize subsurface caves or tunnels for habitation.

Previously, evidence for these potential shelters consisted of intriguing images of over 200 deep, vertical pits. Researchers theorize that these pits may lead to extensive networks of tunnels and massive underground chambers, some of which could extend several miles. One notable pit, located in the Sea of Tranquility and approximately 230 miles from the site of the first human landing, is believed to connect to a significant underground structure.

This video explores the discovery:

Recent analyses suggest that one pit, measuring 328 feet deep and of similar width, may be linked to a tunnel that stretches at least twice the length of a basketball court, possibly extending for miles. These formations, known as lava tubes, were created when the Moon was still geologically active.

"After more than five decades of speculation, we finally have direct evidence of these lava tubes," stated Lorenzo Bruzzone, a professor at the University of Trento in Italy. The research team employed radar data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) to substantiate their findings, publishing their results in Nature Astronomy.

Chapter 2: The Benefits of Underground Living

The exact contents of the Sea of Tranquility pit remain a mystery, but Robert Wagner, a planetary scientist at Arizona State University, noted that new analyses suggest a deeper passage exists than previously observed. If these lava tubes are confirmed, they could offer a stable thermal environment, protecting inhabitants from the Moon's extreme temperatures, which can reach 260°F (127°C) during the day and plummet to -280°F (-173°C) at night.

Living in these tubes would also safeguard humans and their equipment from solar radiation and impacts from meteoroids. Unlike Earth, where smaller meteors burn up in the atmosphere, on the Moon, they strike without any hindrance, traveling at speeds up to 160,000 mph (72 km/sec).

An illustration of a meteoroid impact on the Moon:

While lava tubes alone cannot support life, they present a promising option for human habitation. Essential resources like breathable air, water, and food would still need to be provided. NASA has ambitious plans to construct habitats on the Moon by 2040, envisioning the use of 3D-printed structures made from lunar concrete to reduce costs associated with transporting materials.

However, the feasibility of building durable structures capable of withstanding high-speed meteorite impacts remains uncertain, making the potential use of lava tubes particularly appealing. Recent studies suggest that pressurizing these tubes could create habitable environments, offering a refuge for early settlers while lunar infrastructure is developed.

David Paige, a planetary scientist at UCLA, emphasized the significance of this research: "Humans evolved living in caves, and we might return to them as we establish a presence on the Moon." As we continue to explore the possibilities of lunar colonization, the idea of utilizing lava tubes as habitats grows increasingly viable.