Scientists will apply the lessons learned from the GEODES research in Flagstaff to the planned Artemis missions to the moon.
GEODES were in Flagstaff and working at nearby volcanic fields.
GEODES, short for Geophysical Exploration of the Dynamics and Evolution of the Solar System, is a five-year program withing NASA. According to GEODES Principal Investigator Dr. Nick Schmerr, the program has five primary goals:
- Train early career geophysicists in field techniques and how to apply their research to the moon.
- Research multiple geophysical techniques that better inform on lunar processes and resources.
- Test geophysical flight equipment in relevant planetary analog environments for the Moon (like Flagstaff).
- Develop effective geophysics exploration and operations strategies for the moon.
- Engage with the public and spread the word about lunar research and exploration.
The moon features a variety of geological structures that are also present on Earth. And as it turns out, many of these terrestrial counterparts may be found in Northern Arizona. Taking advantage of this scientific bonanza, Schmerr and many of his team members visited Flagstaff from Aug. 1 to 10.
Schmerr, who is an associate professor at University of Maryland, College Park, said Flagstaff is, in fact, ideal for his work. “We have a pretty famous impact crater (Meteor Crater) just down the road,” he said, “and if you go to the moon, the surface is covered with similar impact craters.”
Black Point Lava Flow, on Babbitt Ranches, is another good lunar analog, and one of the groups used a technique called ground penetrating radar here to study the thickness of the lava deposits and to search for boulders, cavities and other features below the surface. Another crew carried out similar work at the Cinder Lake Crater Field complex, where Apollo astronauts once trained.
Some of the GEODES team members went underground for their work, descending into the lava tube known as Lava River Cave. Schmerr said, “When we look at the moon, we see intriguing places where there might be cavities left behind where lava flowed, just like Lava River Cave. That similarity makes this a perfect place to study so that we can better understand those lunar features.” This study involved mapping Lava River Cave to determine its shape and compare that to models for lunar lava tubes.
Scientists will apply the lessons learned from the GEODES research in Flagstaff to the planned Artemis missions to the moon. NASA currently plans to send a crew to orbit the moon in fall 2024 and if all goes well, another mission may land humans on the moon as early as 2025. And like those Apollo missions in the 1960s and ‘70s, these modern missions will be made possible in part because of work done in Northern Arizona. FBN
By Kevin Schindler, FBN
Photo courtesy of Cody Half-Moon: GEODES team members study Lava River Cave as part of a mapping project.