China's Lunar Base Ambitions: Exploring Moon Caves

China is considering the idea of building a base inside lunar lava tubes on the Moon, which could provide protection for astronauts from hazards such as radiation, temperature extremes, and impact debris. Lava tubes, formed by ancient lunar volcanism, offer a steady-temperature environment and potential shelter. Chinese researchers have conducted fieldwork in Chinese lava tubes to understand their potential use on the Moon. China is planning robotic systems to explore and study the lunar caves, with the long-term goal of establishing a crewed underground research base.