LunarLeaper - Unlocking a Subsurface World

Authors:
  • AMAnna Mittelholz
    Anna Mittelholz
  • HKHendrik Kolvenbach
    Hendrik Kolvenbach
  • PAPhilip Arm
    Philip Arm
  • VBValentin Bickel
    Valentin Bickel
  • JCJoseph Church
    Joseph Church
  • SHSvein-Erik Hamran
    Svein-Erik Hamran
  • AFAdrian Fuhrer
    Adrian Fuhrer
  • MGMichael Gschweitl
    Michael Gschweitl
  • EKElena Krasnova
    Elena Krasnova
  • JAJordan Aaron
    Jordan Aaron
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Abstract
LunarLeaper is a mission concept designed to robotically explore subsurface lava tubes on the Moon. Lunar pits, steep-walled collapse features, are thought to be connected to such lava tube systems and more than 300 have been identified through remote sensing. These natural subsurface structures hold immense value for exploration and scientific investigations, because they offer protection from radiation, micrometeorites, and harsh temperature fluctuations on the lunr surface and as such, they have been proposed for possible future human habitation. In addition, the extent, nature and duration of lunar volcanism is poorly understood and the uniquely exposed stratigraphy along the pit walls might hold crucial information on the volcanic history if the Moon. However, current orbital imaging lacks sufficient resolution to confirm these connections, making ground-truth exploration essential. LunarLeaper aims to address these knowledge gaps by deploying a lightweight (