NASA PRISM Missions Target Lunar Lava Tubes at Marius Hills for Artemis Habitat Shielding
NASA's PRISM selections advance geophysical mapping of lunar lava tubes and environmental hazards to support Artemis base development. The missions address radiation shielding, seismic risks and resource access that determine feasibility of long-duration habitation. Confirmation of accessible tubes would shift habitat design from surface construction to subsurface utilization.
Integration with the broader Artemis architecture means these 2026-2028 CLPS landings will set the hazard baseline used for 2030s crewed landings and habitat siting. If GIMLI confirms connected voids exceeding 100 meters in diameter, subsequent missions could prioritize tube entrances for pressurized modules rather than surface construction, shortening the timeline to semi-permanent occupancy by several years.
NASA CLPS office: GIMLI data release by mid-2028 will confirm or rule out >50 m diameter connected lava tube at Marius Hills with 80% confidence threshold.
Sources (3)
- [1]Primary Source(https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/10/261008005247.htm)
- [2]Supporting Source(https://science.nasa.gov/mission/artemis/)
- [3]Supporting Source(https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-022-01638-7)