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The moon may already have structures that can accommodate astronauts.
Dr. Daniel Moriarty, NASA's lunar scientist, suggested that lava tubes (tunnel-shaped caves) on the surface of the moon could be adapted to form a base.
US President Donald Trump announced in March that he wanted to launch a lunar mission by 2024, which means that NASA will soon have to solve the problem.
The space agency, which named the next Artemis lunar mission, originally planned to visit by 2028.
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Dr. Moriarty said at a Reddit session, "Ask me anything": "I do not think we can change much on the surface of the moon.
"I think it makes sense to work with some of the existing structures and resources.
"For example, it may be useful to establish a base near a permanently shaded polar region in order to take advantage of the surface water that is found there.
"Otherwise, it might be interesting to install in a pre-existing tube of lava, which could offer astronauts some protection against temperature changes and incoming solar radiation."
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He thinks that NASA will benefit from the natural structures currently on the moon.
The lavatubes were created by melting.
NASA leader Jim Bridenstine said earlier this year, "This time, when we go to the moon, we'll stay, and then we'll use what we've learned on the moon to take the next giant leap: send astronauts on Mars. "
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