The US space agency is looking to investigate puzzling lunar geological features called Gruithuisen Domes. These domes are two mysterious structures made of granite-like rock that scientists suspect are made up of silica-rich magma. These mounds have baffled researchers, as these structures on Earth could only be created in the presence of water and volcanic activity caused by changing tectonic plates, none of which exist on the moon.
Leveraging its connections to the private space industry, NASA hopes to launch the Lunar Vulkan Imaging and Spectroscopy Explorer (Lunar-VISE), which consists of a set of five instruments.
Two of these will be mounted on a stationary landing on the lunar surface, while the remaining three will be connected to a mobile rover.
The rover will have to climb the top of one of these Gruithuisen domes within ten Earth days to explore its chemical composition and understand these structures.
Researchers believe that the Lunar VISE, along with the Lunar Explorer Instrument for Space Biology Applications (LEIA) will collect data that will be vital for future missions to the Moon.
Joel Kearns, associate associate administrator for exploration at NASA’s Scientific Mission Directorate, said: “The two selected studies will address important scientific issues related to the Moon.
“The first will study the geological processes of the first planetary bodies preserved on the moon, investigating a rare form of lunar volcanism.
“The second will study the effects of the low-gravity and radiation environment of the Moon on yeast, a model organism used to understand the response and repair of DNA damage.”
LEIA, the second selected mission, is a small CubeSat-based device that will provide biological research to the Moon “that cannot be simulated or replicated with high fidelity to Earth or the International Space Station.”
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Both missions will be delivered to the moon through NASA’s commercial lunar payload services (CLPS) initiative, which is a key part of its Artemis lunar exploration plans.
According to NASA: “Science and technology payloads sent to the surface of the Moon will help lay the groundwork for human missions to and around the Moon.
“The agency has awarded seven assignment orders to CLPS suppliers for lunar deliveries in the early 2020s, and more delivery awards are expected by 2028.”