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Abstract:
Nearly half a century ago, two papers postulated the likelihood of lunar lava tube caves using
mathematical models. Today, armed with an array of orbiting and fly-by satellites and survey instrumentation,
we have now acquired cave data across our solar system—including the identification of potential cave
entrances on the Moon, Mars, and at least nine other planetary bodies. These discoveries gave rise to the study
of planetary caves. To help advance this field, we leveraged the expertise of an interdisciplinary group to
identify a strategy to explore caves beyond Earth. Focusing primarily on astrobiology, the cave environment,
geology, robotics, instrumentation, and human exploration, our goal was to produce a framework to guide
this subdiscipline through at least the next decade. To do this, we first assembled a list of 198 science and
engineering questions. Then, through a series of social surveys, 114 scientists and engineers winnowed down
the list to the top 53 highest priority questions. This exercise resulted in identifying emerging and crucial
research areas that require robust development to ultimately support a robotic mission to a planetary cave—
principally the Moon and/or Mars. With the necessary financial investment and institutional support, the
research and technological development required to achieve these necessary advancements over the next decade are attainable. Subsequently, we will be positioned to robotically examine lunar caves and search for evidence
of life within Martian caves; in turn, this will set the stage for human exploration and potential habitation of both the lunar and Martian subsurface.
