NASA has selected three new science investigations to support its Moon Base program, including a project led by the Planetary Science Institute to explore a potential underground lunar cave. This update includes corrections to the full names of the DISCO and GIMLI payloads, announced on Oct. 2, 2026.
NASA’s selection of three new science investigations marks a pivotal step in its Moon Base program, with a focus on understanding lunar resources, identifying natural shelters, and mitigating environmental risks for future human exploration. The Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon (PRISM) program, part of the agency’s Artemis and Moon Base programs, includes initiatives like the Geophysical Instruments for Marius Lunar pit Investigation (GIMLI), which will search for underground lava tubes beneath the Moon’s surface. This effort, led by the Planetary Science Institute (PSI), could provide critical insights into potential habitats for astronauts, offering protection from radiation and extreme temperatures. The PRISM program is part of NASA’s broader Moon Base Program, with payloads delivered via the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative.
GIMLI: Exploring Lunar Caves for Future Habitats
The GIMLI project, selected through NASA’s PRISM program, will investigate the Marius Hills Pit (MHP), a large lunar depression that may lead to subterranean lava tubes. If confirmed, these voids could serve as natural shelters for astronauts, providing thermal stability and shielding from radiation.
PSI is collaborating with Honeybee Robotics, a Blue Origin company, to build the instruments, which will be deployed via a Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) lander and rover. The Norwegian Space Agency will contribute ground-penetrating radar, while researchers from Boise State University, Johns Hopkins University, the Lunar and Planetary Institute, and the University of Oslo will assist in analyzing data. Even if no cave is found, the project will shed light on the pit’s formation and the Moon’s volcanic history, according to PSI’s Gareth Morgan. Each new PRISM selection strengthens our ability to deliver ambitious, transformative science to the lunar surface,
said Brad Bailey, director of the Exploration Science Strategy Integration Office in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
LEMS-SP and DISCO: Mapping the Lunar Environment
Two other PRISM investigations, the Lunar Environment Monitoring Station – South Pole (LEMS-SP) and the Depth Imager with Spectral and Color Optics (DISCO), will focus on environmental hazards and resource utilization. NASA Science is building the ultimate interplanetary survival guide,
said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The agency aims to use these investigations to provide our future astronaut crews with the vital information, resources, and safety precautions needed ahead of time to survive the night on the Moon.
The DISCO payload is designed to conduct the initial direct, on-site measurements of ice within lunar micro-cold traps, which will establish the foundation for utilizing lunar resources and conducting surface operations. Observations from lunar orbit have offered strong evidence suggesting the presence of caves and lava tubes beneath the Moon’s surface. NASA indicates that the existence of a significant underground structure at Marius Hills could aid researchers in determining if comparable sites might eventually offer natural shielding for astronauts and equipment. The lunar surface offers little protection from radiation and micrometeoroids and experiences large temperature changes.
Implications for Future Exploration
The selected projects underscore NASA’s commitment to leveraging lunar geology for human exploration. By identifying natural shelters and resources, the agency seeks to reduce risks and costs for future missions. The Moon Base program, which includes phased robotic landers, autonomous vehicles, cargo missions, and eventually semi-permanent habitats, is set to advance in the coming years. As Gareth Morgan explained, Lava tubes are a common feature of basaltic volcanism on Earth, so identifying them on the Moon means we could use knowledge of such terrestrial caves to better understand lunar history.
The data collected will not only inform the Moon Base’s design but also lay groundwork for human missions to Mars. As NASA continues to expand its lunar research, the collaboration between agencies, academic institutions, and private companies remains central to achieving these ambitious goals. The PRISM program’s selections reflect a strategic shift toward practical, science-driven exploration, prioritizing resource assessment and hazard mitigation to create a foundation for long-term lunar operations.