NASA Astronauts Could be at Risk of Moonquakes and Landslides While Exploring the Lunar South Pole

[Elektra]

NASA Astronauts Could be at Risk of Moonquakes and Landslides While Exploring the Lunar South Pole

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NASA astronauts setting up a base near the lunar south pole could be put at risk by regolith landslides and moonquakes, according to the results of a new scientific study.

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According to a new study published in the Planetary Science Journal, the moonquakes generated by activity at the faultlines could pose a significant threat to astronauts attempting to establish a permanent base at the lunar south pole, as part of NASA’s planned program of Artemis missions.

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Taking these dangers into account, the researchers were able to pinpoint a series of potential landing locations that NASA should avoid when planning future missions to the Moon's surface, and are planning to look for more hazard sites in the future. NASA recently announced a series of delays to its Artemis program, which have pushed the first crewed launch of its next generation Orion spacecraft to 2025, in order to allow for more development time for key technologies, and to fix some of the hardware for upcoming missions. These delays mean that NASA astronauts won’t return to the moon until September 2026 at the earliest.

THOUGHTS?

[CEDAvsFan]

Moonquakes; holy moley! Imagine a movie about moonquakes.

In all seriousness, though, it's good that they're treading lightly after this realization about moonquakes. Holy moley!

[Damien Darhk]

Why put a moonbase near any of the moon's poles?

[Philip Gipson]

I shudder at the thought of quakes happening on the moon. They'll have to take this very seriously.

[Billie Jean]

43 minutes ago, Philip Gipson said:

I shudder at the thought of quakes happening on the moon. They'll have to take this very seriously.

Where on the moon do you think is a good place for a moonbase?

[Claire Redfield]

Why does a moonbase need to be near a pole?

[Philip Gipson]

On 1/30/2024 at 12:31 AM, Billie Jean said:

Where on the moon do you think is a good place for a moonbase?

I'd rather it be somewhere on the moon where there are no possible quakes.