LUnar Geology Orbiter concept to study lunar Irregular Mare Patches and lava tubes from orbit

The LUnar Geology Orbiter (LUGO) mission is proposed to study surface and subsurface geological features on the Moon that have not yet been the dedicated target of previous missions, with the goal of understanding its thermal evolution and supporting human exploration and future permanent settlements. The objectives of LUGO aim to clarify two important knowledge gaps: 1) to characterize Irregular Mare Patches (IMPs), enigmatic volcanic landforms located on the near side of the Moon, and to provide insights into their age and formational processes; and 2) to detect lava tubes and characterize their general shapes to evaluate their potential as future astronaut habitats. Such a mission would lead to discoveries regarding the improved dating, vertical structure, and shallow subsurface plumbing system of IMPs, as well as the existence, occurrence, and physical characteristics of several lava tubes. To achieve the scientific objectives, the mission is proposed to carry an instrument payload consisting of 1) a ground-penetrating radar with a frequency between 15 and 30 MHz, 2) a narrow-angle camera with a spatial scale better than 25 cm per pixel, 3) a hyperspectral camera with a spectral range from 500 to 1650 nm, and 4) a light detection and ranging sensor using single-photon detection at 1550 nm. LUGO may also characterize other geological targets, such as floor-fractured craters, thanks to its ability to cover long swaths of the lunar surface from its orbit. Furthermore, LUGO will serve as a technological blueprint for future missions that will help uncover the relationship between the geological and morphological characteristics at the lunar surface and the geological structure and stratigraphy of the shallow lunar crust.