Before Building on the Moon, NASA Wants to Map Ice, Shelters, and Danger
PRISM（PRISM）
NASA's program for choosing lunar surface science packages.
CLPS（C-L-P-S）
NASA's initiative for using commercial companies to deliver packages to the Moon.
micrometeoroids（micrometeoroids）
Very small space rocks that can hit the lunar surface.
What happened
NASA, the United States space agency, announced three new lunar science investigations on Sept. 30, 2026. The work supports Moon Base, NASA's program for a sustained human outpost on the Moon. The investigations were chosen through PRISM, a NASA program that selects lunar surface payloads. A payload is a package of instruments and technology. NASA says the packages will reach the surface through CLPS, its commercial delivery initiative.
The announcement is a selection decision. It is not a report that the instruments have launched or completed their work.
What the three investigations will study
LEMS-SP, the Lunar Environment Monitoring Station–South Pole, is designed for long-term monitoring. It will track micrometeoroids, materials that can shift into gas, and seismic events. A short-period seismometer could help NASA assess hazards for Moon Base hardware.
GIMLI, the Geophysical Investigation for Mapping Lunar Interior, will be deployed at Marius Hills Pit. It will scan below the surface. The goal is to learn whether the pit connects to a large underground lava tube. Such a space could offer protection from extreme temperatures, radiation, and micrometeoroid impacts. NASA describes that possibility as useful for future habitat planning, not as a confirmed shelter.
DISCO, the Depth Imager with Spectral and Color Optics, will make direct surface measurements of ice hidden in very cold lunar traps. It will help locate the ice and estimate how much exists. It will also study how rocket exhaust disturbs the ground and how stable the surface is for movement.
Why this matters before a base
A lasting lunar presence needs more than a place to land. NASA first needs information about resources, natural spaces, and environmental hazards. Ice measurements could inform future resource planning. Subsurface scans could show whether a natural shelter exists. Monitoring could reveal conditions that might threaten equipment. Together, the investigations are meant to reduce risks before astronauts arrive.
NASA links the work to Artemis, its lunar exploration program, and Moon Base. The agency says sending science first can support safer and more sustained human activity on the Moon, while also preparing for later human exploration.
What is confirmed, and what is not
NASA named the three investigations, their main goals, and their principal investigators. Mehdi Benna leads LEMS-SP at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Nathaniel Putzig leads GIMLI at the Planetary Science Institute. Ariel Deutsch leads DISCO at NASA's Ames Research Center.
The release does not provide launch dates, a specific lander, or an operating schedule. It also does not say that GIMLI has found a lava tube or that DISCO has measured lunar ice. Those are questions for the missions themselves.
What to watch next
The next useful milestones will be the CLPS delivery plans and the measurements after the packages reach the Moon. The results could help planners judge where equipment should operate, whether underground spaces are usable, and how lunar ice might support future surface work. For now, NASA has chosen the questions and the tools. The Moon still has to provide the answers.
Source: NASA's official release
NASA Chose Three Moon Investigations Before People Arrive
📰 Full story: Before Building on the Moon, NASA Wants to Map Ice, Shelters, and Danger
The tools will study ice, underground spaces, and lunar dangers.
CLPS（C-L-P-S）
A NASA program that uses companies to carry tools to the Moon.
lava tube（lava tube）
A natural underground space that may exist under the Moon's surface.
LEMS-SP（LEMS-S-P）
A tool set that watches the Moon's environment for a long time.
💡 The gist
- NASA chose three new science packages for the Moon.
- They will study ice, underground spaces, and lunar dangers.
- NASA has not announced launch dates or results.
What happened
NASA, the United States space agency, chose three investigations on Sept. 30, 2026. The work supports Moon Base. Moon Base is NASA's plan for a lasting human outpost. A package is a group of tools sent together. PRISM is NASA's program for choosing Moon investigations. CLPS will carry the packages using commercial space companies.
This decision chooses the work. It does not mean the packages have reached the Moon.
What will the tools do?
LEMS-SP will watch the lunar environment for a long time. It will track tiny space rocks and materials that can become gas. It will also measure moonquakes. These facts can show dangers for future machines.
GIMLI will scan under Marius Hills Pit. It will look for a large underground lava tube. A lava tube is a natural space under the ground. It might protect astronauts from extreme temperatures, radiation, and small impacts. NASA has not confirmed that this space exists.
DISCO will measure ice in very cold, shadowed places. It will show where the ice is. It will also estimate how much ice exists. DISCO will study rocket exhaust and ground stability. This can help plan safe movement and surface work.
Why study these things first?
People need facts before living far from Earth. NASA wants to know about resources, shelter, and hazards. Ice could become an important resource for future work. Underground spaces could affect habitat plans. Environmental measurements could protect machines.
NASA connects these investigations with Artemis, its lunar exploration program. The agency also connects them with Moon Base. Science comes first. Human work can then use better information.
What happens next?
The release does not give launch dates. It does not name a specific lander. It does not give an operating schedule. Next, watch for CLPS delivery plans. Then watch the measurements from the lunar surface. Those results will show whether the Moon has the ice and shelter NASA is seeking.
NASA Picks Three Tool Sets to Check the Moon
📰 Full story: Before Building on the Moon, NASA Wants to Map Ice, Shelters, and Danger
The tools will help people learn if the Moon can be a safe home.
Moon Base（Moon Base）
NASA's plan for people to live on the Moon.
CLPS（C-L-P-S）
A way for companies to carry things to the Moon.
LEMS-SP（LEMS-S-P）
A tool set that watches rocks and shakes on the Moon.
NASA, the United States space agency, picked three tool sets. Moon Base is NASA's plan for people living on the Moon. People need to check the Moon before they go.
LEMS-SP will watch tiny space rocks and Moon shakes. GIMLI will look under the Moon's ground. It will search for a big empty space. That space might help protect people.
DISCO will look for ice in very cold shadows. It will check where the ice is. It will check how much ice there is. It will also watch the ground under rocket blasts.
NASA will send the tools with CLPS. CLPS uses commercial companies to carry things to the Moon. The tools have not reached the Moon yet. NASA has not said when they will fly.
The tools are helpers for Moon Base. They will gather facts before people arrive. The facts can help people stay safer.
Source: NASA's official release