NASA is preparing to explore a large hole on the Moon that could one day offer shelter to astronauts, according to Forbes. The publication reported the plan on Friday, 6 November 2026.
Forbes describes the feature as a giant hole on the lunar surface and frames the mission around its potential to protect crews. The report does not specify the size of the hole, its location, or the timing of the exploration.
Separate coverage from New Scientist adds detail on the hardware involved. That outlet reports that a robot called GIMLI will explore a lunar cave with an eye toward a future moon base. According to New Scientist, the machine's job is to survey the underground space rather than to host people itself.
Taken together, the two reports point to a shared idea: lunar caves and pits may be useful to crews. A hole in the surface could offer natural cover, though the material summarized here does not say what hazards it would shield against or how a habitat would be built inside one.
The reporting so far leaves the mission's schedule, the robot's full capabilities, and the chosen site unconfirmed. Forbes and New Scientist provide the headline and summary level of detail only, and no full article text was available.
What to watch next: official NASA statements on the GIMLI robot and any announced timeline for exploring the lunar pit.
