Computational
Optics

The discovery of cave skylights on the surface of the moon has stimulated a desire to explore and map the lunar subsurface. These openings provide a ready made pathway into caves that may harbor unique resources and grant protection from space weather for endemic or human life. As a result these caves could be of great value for both robotic and human exploration.

However, access into and mobility around these caves is extremely challenging to perform in situ with current technology, and without reconnaissance it is difficult to identify which caves have the most scientific and resource potential.

We propose a precursor to in situ exploration of lunar caves, using time of flight imaging from an orbiter to explore and map in 3D cave entrances and near-surface interiors (PERISCOPE). Our system illuminates the cave entrance with nanosecond light pulses and uses the time response of light returning from inside the cave to reconstruct images of the cave's interior.

To view the project overview on the NASA website click here