Studying lunar Irregular Mare Patches and lava tubes with the Lunar Geology Orbiter Article Swipe
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· 2024
· Open Access
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· DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/epsc2024-1275
· OA: W4400287365
INTRODUCTIONA better understanding of  lunar geology is critical both scientifically and practically for exploring and settling the Moon in the next decades. Improving our knowledge about the formation and evolution of the Moon helps us 1) to understand the geology of Earth and other terrestrial bodies in the Solar System, and 2) to prepare for in-situ utilisation of lunar resources. Irregular mare patches (IMPs), as well as lava tubes, pits and caves are such lunar geological phenomena that offer progress with both tasks. Even though multiple IMPs were found on the surface of the Moon, their age and formation processes remain enigmatic. Furthermore, many pits have been detected in various lunar geological settings, but it remains uncertain whether any of these openings could lead to extended cave conduits underground. The proposed Lunar Geology Orbiter LUGO aims primarily to reveal the formation ages and mechanisms of IMPs, and secondarily to identify the distribution and dimensions of lava tubes for future exploration.WHY IRREGULAR MARE PATCHES?Controversy surrounds the formation age of IMPs because very few impact craters are present at their surface. Whereas one scenario assumes that IMPs consist of compact igneous rocks and thus are relatively young (>100 My), another scenario assumes the existence of old (
