The Moon Society notes that the Indian Space Research Organization, has released a paper detailing the discovery of a 1.72 kilometer long (5,733 ft.) intact lava tube section in the south western reaches of Oceanus Procellarum, the Ocean of Storms.
The data was compiled by Chandrayaan-1's Terrain Mapping Camera (TMC), one of the eleven science instruments on board India's first lunar orbiter, launched October 22, 2008.
"The TMC image is in the panchromatic spectral range of 0.5–0.75 μm with a stereo view in the fore, nadir and aft directions of the spacecraft movement and with a high spatial resolution of 5 m at an orbital height of 100 km (ref. 1), to enable three-dimensional viewing of the lunar surface with crisp and clear surface features and morphology.
"The Digital Elevation Model (DEM) generated from the three look angles enables morphometric study of various lunar features, thus furnishing topographic relief and dimensions of various morphological entities. "Identifying sites for permanent base stations for possible human settlement on the Moon is important for long-term perspective of lunar exploration."
Lunar and Mars lava tubes are possible settlement locations for a human survival. A nexus between lunar water and lunar lava tubes is also being considered.
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