The lunar surface fascinates as much as it deters. Too cold in the middle of the night, too hot in broad daylight, it exposes any equipment or living being to a cascade of dangers. However, a few meters below this battered ground, tunnels from ancient lava flows could offer astronauts a natural refuge. To find out if these cavities are accessible, safe and usable, a European mission is relying on an autonomous robotic squad. This technological challenge, already tested in a terrestrial volcanic setting, could transform the way in which humanity envisages its future lunar habitats.
Natural shelters from a deadly environment
With its extreme temperatures, incessant cosmic radiation and micrometeorite showers, the Moon is among the most hostile environments in the Solar System. Deprived of atmosphere and magnetic field, its ground transforms into an oven or a freezer depending on solar exposure. Some polar regions even dip below –240°C. Micrometeorites, for their part, strike the surface at speeds of up to 70 km/s, making their prolonged presence impossible without adequate protection.
In this context, lava tubes offer a rare opportunity. Formed by ancient flows, they form underground galleries sometimes several hundred kilometers long. From orbit, certain partial collapses of the ceiling betray the presence of preserved cavities. These openings, called skylights, could lead to areas that are still intact. On Mars, similar structures have also been spotted. They attract attention for two reasons. On the one hand, they are of interest to scientific research. On the other hand, they offer protection against the dangers of the surface, while preserving possible traces of ancient life.
Lunar exploration robots designed to cooperate underground
Spotting a tunnel from orbit is not enough. To know if it is practicable and suitable for a base, it must be explored directly. It is with this aim that the space robotics laboratory at the University of Malaga has imagined, in partnership with several European institutions, a robotic mission in four stages. Presented in Science Robotics by Raúl Domínguez's team from DFKI (German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence), this strategy is based on three robots with complementary capabilities.
The first, SherpaTT, moves on wheels but can also use articulated legs. It serves as an anchor point for Coyote III, a lightweight robot designed to rappel down tunnels. Finally, LUVMI-X, agile and inexpensive, helps map the surrounding areas. The mission begins with precise mapping of the entrance, followed by dropping a sensory cube into the cavity to collect images at high speed. Then, Coyote III descended from SherpaTT to explore the locations in depth and collect 3D data on the internal geometry.
In February 2023, this protocol was put to the test in a volcanic cave in Lanzarote. Despite weather constraints, the different phases were able to be validated. The robots generated a relief model of the entrance, reconstructed the skylight, then successfully explored an underground corridor, confirming the technical feasibility of the concept. The results, relayed by SciTechDaily, show the interest of such a cooperative system for exploring extreme environments inaccessible to humans.
Living beneath the lunar surface
In the long term, these trials aim for a more ambitious goal. They are preparing the permanent installation of crews on the Moon. An underground base would offer several crucial advantages. The rock layer would filter radiation, reduce temperature variations and block debris. At the same time, it would make it possible to lighten the structures sent from Earth. This would, in fact, reduce risks as well as logistical costs.
The use of autonomous robots to probe these places before any manned deployment is therefore an essential step. Their ability to cooperate, improvise in the face of the unknown, and transmit precise data paves the way for safer and faster exploration. This strategy, designed for the Moon, could also be used on Mars where the constraints are similar. By exploring these caves, humanity is not just looking for shelter. It is beginning to build the foundations of a lasting planetary presence.
With an unwavering passion for local news, Christopher leads our editorial team with integrity and dedication. With over 20 years’ experience, he is the backbone of Wouldsayso, ensuring that we stay true to our mission to inform.
