LunarLeaper — Unlocking a Subsurface World

Kurzfassung

LunarLeaper is a mission concept designed to revolutionize our understanding of the Moon’s subsurface and geologic evolution by exploring volcanic pits, steep-walled collapse features on the lunar surface (Fig. 1). To date, approximately 300 such pits have been identified through remote sensing [1]. Lunar pits reveal detailed records of the Moon’s geologic history due to their exposed stratigraphy along the pit walls, including information on scale, timing, and nature of mare-forming lava flows. Predominantly found in impact melt and mare regions, pits are of high exploration interest as they might provide access to lava tubes and could thus serve as natural shelters for future astronauts, protecting them from radiation and extreme surface conditions. Orbital imaging suggests that some pits may connect to extensive lava tube systems. However, these observations are constrained by low spatial resolution, and only a surface mission can confirm and characterize the relation between pits and caves. Ground-truth exploration is critical not only to validate orbital findings but also to refine strategies for future lunar exploration and habitation.