The Moon cave.

[Workingman]

Astronomers / Scientists have discovered a cave on the Moon and they think that it could become a Moonbase.

Its opening is about 100m and its depth is 130m to 170m.That would make it a natural shield against space weather, cosmic radiations, and extreme temperature fluctuations.

If it can be used it would also mean that the thousands of tonnes of materials and equipment needed to build a surface base will not be needed - just the simple things.

There are thought to be many more and also that they exist on Mars. If true then going beyond Earth becomes much easier.

Humanity once used caves as homes and shelters, we can do it again.

[Suff]

Yes WM. Also I saw the Moon one appears to have Tunnels stretching away from the cave of an indeterminate length. Which makes the situation even better.

It may guide the first few landings on the moon if they want to explore and, perhaps, start inhabiting these areas.

The better the imaging the more of this we will see. The current ESA cameras are resolving to 1 inch. Which is close enough for this work.

[cromwell]

The Americans had better get up there quick before the Chinese.

[Suff]

You have more chance of SpaceX making it their on their own than the US beating China back there right now. Artemis is in trouble, their spacesuit suppliers are struggling and they keep trying to hold back Starship forgetting that Starship is needed for Artemis III to land astronauts on the Moon for a week's duration.

China is currently faster, more innovative (or willing to rip off innovation) and FAR more risk accepting than the US.

[Workingman]

The cave is not far away from where Armstrong made his "First small step..."

It is on the near side, so direct communications can be made without the need for satellite relays. Its location can be seen with a decent telescope. It will of course need exploring and different types of equipment design and manufacture from those needed in a heavily shielded surface base, but it looks to have a lot going for it.

If similar structures can be found on Mars who knows where we will be in 10 to 15 years? There has long been a suspicion that there might be water ice embedded in rocks below the surface of both places. Now that would be a real game changer if it turns out to be true.

Samples from the Chinese mission brought back from the Moon found such resources relatively near the surface.

[Suff]

Yes the more we look the more we find. We are going to get a lot of surprises on both Moon and Mars when we physically go back to the Moon and go to Mars.

Most of the body of knowledge is assumed by scientific principle and not by actual knowledge of the make up of either.

[Workingman]

There are known lava tubes on Mars, but we do not know what is down there; we need to find out. Some potential openings have proved to be nothing more than craters, so there is a lot to be discovered. They need people to explore them - not robots.

However, we do know that there was once surface water on Mars, so there could be plenty of water ice in the sub-surface rocks, as well as minerals. If that is the case it changes many things... and our way of thinking.

Water can be cracked into oxygen and hydrogen and so create a breathable, but controlled environment, and fuel. The minerals from the rocks could be used as we use them on Earth - fertilisers, medicines, building materials.... and on and on.

This latest, and pretty basic discovery, opens up a whole new world from the high-tech future we all thought was needed to progress..