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Exploration of Lunar Holes, Possible Skylights of Underlying Lava Tubes, by Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM)

2012; Korean Society for Aeronautical and Space Science; Volume: 10; Issue: ists28 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2322/tastj.10.pk_7

1884-0485

J. Haruyama, Shujiro Sawai, Takahide Mizuno, Tetsuo Yoshimitsu, Seisuke Fukuda, Ichiro Nakatani,

Space Exploration and Technology

The Japanese lunar orbiter SELENE discovered three giant holes, Marius Hills Hole, Mare Tranquillitatis Hole, and Mare Ingenii Hole, that exceed tens of meters in diameter and depth, and that are possible lava tube skylights. These lunar-hole structures and possibly underlying lava tubes have great significance for lunar science and potential utilization, and thus should be priority targets of future lunar exploration. It is essential to acquire detailed information on terrain around the holes, multi-layered outcrops on the inner walls of the holes, debris and thermal conditions on the floor of the holes, and entrances of predicted lava tubes extending from the bottoms of the holes. The Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon (SLIM) mission, a future Japanese lunar lander mission being considered, is planned to land in an area within 100m around the Marius Hills Hole. Rovers will be dispatched from SLIM and approach the hole. SLIM and its rovers are small but the mission return could be huge.