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Rille
Rille
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Rima Hyginus, an eminent rille, in selenochromatic format[1]
Rimae on the floor of the lunar crater Gassendi, from Apollo 16.
Mamers Valles rille on Mars.
Rima Ariadaeus is categorized as a straight rille (graben) and is over 300 km in length.
Hadley Rille at center is a sinuous rille visited by the Apollo 15 mission.
Detail of part of Hadley Rille

Rille /ˈrɪl/[2] (German for 'groove') is typically used to describe any of the long, narrow depressions in the surface of the Moon that resemble channels. The Latin term is rima, plural rimae. Typically, a rille can be several kilometers wide and hundreds of kilometers in length. However, the term has also been used loosely to describe similar structures on a number of planets in the Solar System, including Mars, Venus, and on a number of moons. All bear a structural resemblance to each other.

Structures

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Three types of rille are found on the lunar surface:

  • Sinuous rilles meander in a curved path like a mature river, and are commonly thought to be the remains of collapsed lava tubes or extinct lava flows. They usually begin at an extinct volcano, then meander and sometimes split as they are followed across the surface. As of 2013, 195 sinuous rilles have been identified on the Moon.[3] Vallis Schröteri in Oceanus Procellarum is the largest sinuous rille, and Rima Hadley is the only one visited by humans, on the Apollo 15 mission. Another prominent example is Rima Herigonius.
  • Arcuate rilles have a smooth curve and are found on the edges of the dark lunar maria. They are believed to have formed when the lava flows that created a mare cooled, contracted and sank. These are found all over the Moon, examples can be seen near the south-western border of Mare Tranquillitatis and on the south-eastern border of Mare Humorum. Rima Sulpicius Gallus is a clear example in southwestern Mare Serenitatis.
  • Straight rilles follow long, linear paths and are believed to be grabens, sections of the crust that have sunk between two parallel faults. These can be readily identified when they pass through craters or mountain ranges. Vallis Alpes is by far the largest graben rille, indeed it is regarded as too large to be called a rille and is itself bisected by a linear rille; Rima Ariadaeus, west of Mare Tranquillitatis, is a clearer example.

Rilles which show more than one structure are termed hybrid rilles. Rima Hyginus in Sinus Medii is an example, initially formed through a fault and subsequently subject to volcanic activity.

Formation

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Precise formation mechanisms of rilles have yet to be determined. It is likely that the different types are formed by different processes. Common features shared by lunar rilles and similar structures on other bodies suggest that common causative mechanisms operate widely in the solar system. Leading theories include lava channels, collapsed lava tubes, near-surface dike intrusion, nuée ardente (pyroclastic cloud), subsidence of lava-covered basin and crater floors, and tectonic extension. On-site examination would be necessary to clarify exact methods.

Sinuous rilles

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According to NASA, the origin of lunar sinuous rilles remains controversial.[4] The Hadley Rille is a 1.5 km wide and over 300 m deep sinuous rille. It is thought to be a giant conduit that carried lava from an eruptive vent far to the south. Topographic information obtained from the Apollo 15 photographs supports this possibility; however, many puzzles about the rille remain.[4]

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
A rille (from the German word meaning "groove") is a long, narrow depression on the surface of the that resembles a channel, , or , often extending for tens to hundreds of kilometers. These features, first observed through early telescopes around , are key indicators of the Moon's volcanic and tectonic history, with most forming billions of years ago during periods of intense or crustal fracturing. Lunar rilles are classified into three primary types based on their morphology: sinuous rilles, which meander like channels; linear rilles, which are straight and trough-like; and arcuate rilles, which form broad, sweeping curves often parallel to nearby geological structures such as impact basin rims. Sinuous rilles, the most visually distinctive, are typically 1–2 km wide and up to 300 m deep, originating from ancient, low-viscosity lava flows that eroded the surface or from the collapse of lava tubes during mare basalt eruptions typically 1–3.8 billion years ago; younger examples include Rima Sharp, associated with ~2 Ga volcanism confirmed by China's Chang'e-5 mission samples in 2020. In contrast, linear and arcuate rilles are generally tectonic in origin, forming as grabens—fault-bounded troughs—due to extensional stresses in the lunar crust, sometimes associated with mare filling or impact events, and they can reach widths of 1–5 km and lengths exceeding 100 km. Notable examples include Hadley Rille, a 135-km-long sinuous feature in the region explored by NASA's mission in 1971, which provided direct evidence of its volcanic formation through sample analysis and orbital imagery. Other prominent rilles, such as Rima Ariadaeus (a linear type) and those in , highlight the global distribution of these features, with 195 sinuous rilles cataloged across the lunar surface. Rilles remain subjects of ongoing research, offering insights into the Moon's thermal evolution, mantle dynamics, and potential as sites for future human exploration due to their possible sheltering lava tubes.

Overview

Definition

A rille is a long, narrow depression or valley on the surface of planetary bodies, particularly the , resembling a or crack-like feature typically 1-2 kilometers wide and extending up to several hundred kilometers in length. These features are commonly associated with volcanic or tectonic stresses on airless planetary surfaces. The term "rille" derives from the German word for "groove" or "channel," introduced to describe lunar surface features by the Johann Hieronymus Schröter around 1800, marking a shift from Latin in . Unlike river valleys on , which form through prolonged by liquid in a gravitational and atmospheric environment, rilles develop in low-gravity, conditions without sustained fluid flow or . Rilles are observable from Earth using telescopes and in greater detail via spacecraft imagery, with depths generally ranging from tens to hundreds of meters, and they may exhibit general shapes such as sinuous or linear forms.

Morphological Characteristics

Rilles are elongated depressions on planetary surfaces, particularly the Moon, exhibiting a range of physical dimensions that vary by type and location. Typical widths range from 0.5 to 3 km, with lengths extending up to 300 km and depths between 20 and 500 m. Lunar examples often feature steeper walls compared to those on other bodies, contributing to their pronounced relief against surrounding terrain. Cross-sectional profiles of rilles differ based on their structural nature, providing insights into their physical form. Erosional rilles commonly display V-shaped profiles, indicative of incised channels with sloping walls meeting at a point. In contrast, collapsed or tectonic rilles tend to have U-shaped or flat-bottomed profiles, reflecting or faulting that creates broader, more stable floors. Surface features along rilles highlight their textural diversity and interaction with local . Volcanic rilles often possess smooth floors composed of solidified lava flows, while walls may appear rugged with scattered boulders and . Occasional secondary craters dot the interiors, and levees—raised edges formed by overflow—can border the channels, adding to the structural complexity. The and of rilles influence their overall and flow dynamics. Sinuous forms typically exhibit gentle slopes ranging from 0.1 to 1 degree, allowing for meandering paths across the terrain. Rilles frequently overlap with broader geological contexts, such as plains or impact basins, where they intersect and modify the underlying substrate without dominating the regional landscape. This association underscores their role as secondary features within larger volcanic or tectonic provinces.

Classification

Sinuous Rilles

Sinuous rilles represent a subtype of lunar rilles characterized by their , channel-like morphologies that resemble terrestrial river valleys, with serpentine paths exhibiting typically ranging from 1.02 to 2.1 (median 1.19). These features often originate from irregular depressions interpreted as volcanic source vents or craters, winding across the surface with meander wavelengths of approximately 1.7 to 2.4 km in well-studied examples. Their formation is closely associated with volcanic processes, such as high-effusion-rate lava flows that erode and shape the channels. These rilles can extend up to 200 km in length, though medians are around 33 km, with widths generally narrower than other rille types at 0.5 to 2 km (median 480 m) and depths up to 300 m. Complexity varies, with some displaying braiding, tributaries, or streamlined islands indicative of dynamic fluid flow, while others maintain simpler, continuous channels that decrease in depth downstream. Surface features such as levees along the margins, sinuous scarps, and occasional nested inner channels further suggest thermal erosion by flowing lava, with parallel walls and V-shaped profiles in cross-section. Sinuous rilles are most prevalent on the lunar maria, where approximately 195 have been cataloged, comprising nearly half in regions like due to concentrated . In contrast, they are far less common on Mars, with only about 81 identified, primarily in volcanic provinces like , reflecting differences in eruption styles and lower effusion rates. A classic example is Hadley Rille, a prominent lunar feature approximately 80-135 km long, 0.5-2 km wide, and up to 300 m deep, originating near a potential vent and displaying sinuous bends with evidence of lava channeling.

Linear Rilles

Linear rilles represent a subtype of lunar rilles characterized by straight to slightly irregular paths, typically manifesting as structures formed by down-dropped blocks between parallel faults. These features exhibit widths ranging from hundreds of meters to over 5 kilometers, reflecting the scale of the bounding faults. Their lengths often extend from 50 to several hundred kilometers, maintaining a relatively constant width along their course with minimal meandering. The walls of linear rilles are typically steep fault scarps rising up to 1 kilometer in height, bounding flat floors that may occasionally feature transverse ridges perpendicular to the main axis. Depths generally reach several hundred meters, contributing to their pronounced topographic expression. Unlike more curved arcuate rilles, linear rilles display greater rigidity in their geometry and lack indicators of fluid flow, such as levees. Linear rilles are closely associated with , arising from crustal stretching often linked to emplacement or impact basin formation. They commonly occur in highland regions or adjacent to impact basins, where regional extension has produced these fault-controlled troughs.

Arcuate Rilles

Arcuate rilles represent a distinct morphological subtype of rilles on the , characterized by their gently curved or concentric arc shapes that form partial rings along the margins of impact basins. These features typically exhibit smooth, bow-like curves with large radii corresponding to the scale of the host basin, often spanning tens to hundreds of kilometers in . They are generally shallower and broader than other rille types, with floor widths of a few kilometers and depths ranging from 50 to 250 meters, marked by steep-walled scarps and flat floors. Morphologically, arcuate rilles display smoother curvature compared to the meandering paths of sinuous rilles, often appearing as subparallel or echelon sets of troughs that align concentrically with basin boundaries. Their ends may terminate abruptly or fade into the surrounding , and they lack the pronounced or branching seen in volcanic channel systems. These rilles are interpreted as grabens formed through , where the subsidence of basalts under their own superisostatic load causes peripheral stretching and partial collapse along basin margins. This process links them to broader basin flexure, reflecting localized tensional stresses during filling. Arcuate rilles are less common than sinuous or linear varieties, primarily distributed within lunar maria superposed on major basins such as Imbrium, Serenitatis, and Tranquillitatis, but rare in others like Crisium or on the farside. On Mars, analogous arcuate grabens occur sparingly around volcanic structures, such as those near Ascraeus Mons, though they differ in scale and context from lunar examples. Telescopically, they appear as segmented arcs of larger circles, highlighting their association with circular basin topography.

Formation Mechanisms

Volcanic Processes

Volcanic processes play a central role in the formation of many rilles, particularly sinuous types, through mechanisms involving magmatic activity that reshape the . The primary mechanism is thermal erosion, in which hot, low-viscosity basaltic lava flows melt and excavate the underlying substrate, carving out elongated channels. This process is facilitated by the high temperatures of lunar lavas, often exceeding 1200°C, which allow efficient heat transfer to cooler or , leading to melting and removal of material. Flow dynamics during these eruptions are characterized by high effusion rates, reaching up to 10610^6 m³/s in the low-gravity environment of the , which promote turbulent rather than laminar motion in the lava. These turbulent flows, with velocities around 6 m/s and depths of approximately 9 m near the vent, enhance mechanical scouring alongside melting, resulting in incisions 10–100 m deep over multiple flow events. Recent studies as of 2025 further support integrated models combining erosion with constructional features like formation for sinuous rilles. In low gravity, such dynamics allow sustained flows to propagate far from source vents, eroding sinuous paths through mare basalts. Another key volcanic process is the collapse of lava tubes formed during pahoehoe-like flows, where initial roofed conduits develop due to cooling and crusting of the lava surface. These , spanning widths of tens to hundreds of meters on the , can later due to structural instability, producing linear to sinuous depressions that mimic open channels. This constructional phase often precedes or complements erosional deepening, contributing to the overall morphology. Evidence for these processes includes close associations with volcanic vents, dark mare basalt units, and sinuous trajectories that follow topographic lows, as observed in high-resolution . Quantitative models of thermal demonstrate viability, with simulated rates of 1–10 m per flow event under lunar conditions, supported by terrestrial analogs like Hawaiian channels. A basic approximation for erosion depth in these models is given by erosion depthv×t×q\text{erosion depth} \propto v \times t \times q where vv is , tt is flow duration, and qq is , highlighting the interplay of fluid motion and without requiring full derivation.

Tectonic Processes

Tectonic rilles on the form through extensional deformation of the , primarily via the creation of structures without involvement of volcanic activity. Extensional stresses, generated by mechanisms such as early tidal despinning and cooling of the , produce parallel normal faults that bound a subsiding crustal block, resulting in linear rilles. These stresses are particularly pronounced during the thin-crust phase of lunar , leading to surface extension that accommodates the drop of the central block by hundreds of meters. In regions surrounding large impact basins, induces additional extension, forming arcuate rilles through circumferential normal faulting. Basin loading or post-impact rebound creates tangential stresses that peak in an annular zone, promoting the development of these curved aligned concentrically with basin margins. Such features are evident around basins like Serenitatis and Imbrium, where the model predicts a thickness of approximately 25 km at the time of rille formation. Stress models attribute local extension to global lunar radius changes of 1-2 km—potentially from early expansion or later contraction—superimposed with basalt loading, which causes isostatic adjustment and flexural stresses exceeding 10 MPa in places. Faults associated with these extend to depths of up to a few kilometers within the upper crust, as inferred from seismic and topographic analyses. Evidence for a purely tectonic origin includes the straight alignments of linear rilles, their frequent proximity to compressional wrinkle ridges indicating regional stress fields, and the general absence of volcanic deposits or flow features within the troughs. Over the Moon's 4.5 billion-year history, these extensional features, typically 1-5 km wide, arise from minute strain rates of approximately 101410^{-14} to 101510^{-15} s1^{-1}, allowing cumulative deformation to produce observable structures despite the lack of active . Linear and arcuate shapes directly reflect the orientation of these regional stress fields.

Other Theories

Hybrid models integrate tectonic and volcanic processes in rille formation, where initial faulting creates s that are subsequently modified by lava flows. Rima Hyginus serves as a key example, originating as a tectonic during the period and later infilled with Eratosthenian basaltic lavas, resulting in a linear feature with mixed structural characteristics. Less dominant hypotheses propose collapsing subsurface voids unrelated to lava tubes, potentially from gas expansion or impact degassing, for rare irregular lunar features resembling rilles. On Mars, sublimation of volatiles and associated are suggested for shallow polar troughs, with laboratory simulations showing CO₂ ice sublimation fluidizing and initiating slope failures under Martian conditions. Spectral reflectance data from lunar rilles reveal a general depletion of volatiles on the surface, with dominant minerals like containing less than 6 ppm H₂O, thereby ruling out water-driven for most features. These alternative ideas explain only a minority of rilles, with ongoing analyses from missions like the reinforcing the prevalence of volcanic and tectonic origins while highlighting niche cases.

Distribution and Examples

Lunar Rilles

Lunar rilles are abundant surface features on the , with hundreds of sinuous rilles cataloged globally, making them the predominant type among these structures. The vast majority occur within the lunar maria, the vast basaltic plains that cover about 17% of the Moon's surface and resulted from ancient flood volcanism. These rilles primarily formed between 3.3 and 3.6 billion years ago, coinciding with the tail end of the and the peak of volcanism that filled impact basins with lava. Distributionally, sinuous rilles cluster in major mare basins including , , and Mare Nubium, where thick sequences of basaltic flows provided the substrate for their development. In contrast, linear rilles—often tectonic —are found in both the maria and rugged highlands, frequently associated with basin margins and crustal extension. Geologically, many rilles incise or overlie the mare basalts, revealing layered volcanic deposits along their walls, with typical depths ranging from tens to up to 300 meters, though some reach 400 meters in places. Among the most prominent examples is Hadley Rille, a sinuous feature near the Apollo 15 landing site along the southeastern edge of Mare Imbrium, stretching over 100 km in length and averaging 1.5 km in width with depths up to 400 meters. Rima Marius in Oceanus Procellarum exemplifies a sinuous rille with associated rillettes—narrower secondary channels—spanning approximately 250 km and highlighting complex lava channeling. Nearby, Rima Prinz extends about 50 km adjacent to the bright Aristarchus crater, directly linked to volcanic vents and domes that indicate its origin in effusive eruptions. Sinuous rilles such as these are generally interpreted as remnants of ancient lava channels or collapsed tubes from high-volume flows.

Martian Rilles

Martian rilles are valley-like features primarily concentrated in the planet's major volcanic provinces, such as and , where they often form networks associated with extensive lava flows and channel systems. Unlike their lunar counterparts, only hundreds of rille-like features have been identified on Mars, with approximately 500 candidates surveyed and about 19 confirmed as likely volcanically emplaced based on morphological analysis. These structures are generally wider than lunar rilles, reaching up to 9 km in some cases, such as cobrahead rilles near , and are typically 2-4 km across in regions like Phlegra Montes; their broader scale is influenced by Mars' higher , which affects during formation. Depths vary but can reach 0.1-0.6 km in associated channel systems, with some linear examples exhibiting depths up to 350 m. Key examples illustrate the diversity of Martian rilles, including linear in Tantalus Fossae within the region, which extend over 1,000 km in length, measure 2-10 km wide, and formed through crustal extension and faulting linked to volcanic uplift. In contrast, sinuous rilles near , such as those in the eastern plains, are narrower (up to a few hundred meters wide) and hundreds of kilometers long, often emanating from fractures or subcircular depressions associated with lava flows from the massive . These features highlight the interplay between tectonic and volcanic processes in , where rilles contribute to the broader landscape of channels radiating from volcanic centers. Most Martian rilles formed between 1 and 3 billion years ago during the Hesperian and Amazonian periods, with ages estimated at 3.4-3.6 Ga for those in Elysium Mons and younger surfaces in Tharsis indicating ongoing volcanic influence into the Amazonian (<3 Ga). Some rilles are associated with massive outflow channels, such as those near Valles Marineris or in Elysium (e.g., Hrad Vallis), where volcanic activity may have triggered or mimicked water releases, suggesting possible hybrid water-lava mechanisms in their formation, though pure lava erosion remains a primary explanation. These structures are often deeper and more pronounced than lunar equivalents, up to 1 km in select tectonic graben, and exhibit unique traits like dust coverage from the thin atmosphere and aeolian modifications, including wind-eroded margins and infilling sediments that obscure finer details.

Rilles on Other Bodies

On Mercury, rilles are predominantly arcuate in form and concentrated around the margins of the Caloris Basin, resulting from tectonic deformation due to following the basin's impact formation. These features exhibit morphologies akin to lunar arcuate rilles but occur in far fewer numbers, with only dozens documented across the planet's surface. Data from NASA's mission confirm approximately 50 such mercurian rilles, highlighting their scarcity relative to other inner solar system bodies. Rilles on , identified as sinuous channels through imaging of the planet's lava plains such as those mapped by NASA's Magellan mission, number over 200 and are interpreted to have formed by the flow of viscous lavas under Venus's extreme , which influences eruption dynamics and flow morphology. Beyond these, possible rilles have been suggested on Io, Jupiter's volcanically active moon, where transient sinuous features may arise from sulfur-rich or lava flows amid rapid resurfacing. However, no confirmed rilles exist on asteroids or icy moons such as Europa, where surface processes favor cryovolcanism or impact-dominated terrains over sustained channel formation. The relative paucity of rilles on Mercury, , and outer bodies stems from variations in crustal compositions and thermal histories, which limit the conditions for prolonged volcanic or tectonic channel development compared to the Moon or Mars. For instance, mercurian rilles typically span 2-10 km in width, reflecting a thinner, more rigid crust prone to localized deformation.

Study and Exploration

Historical Discovery

The earliest telescopic observations of lunar rilles date back to the late 18th century, when German astronomer Johann Hieronymus Schröter, using his advanced telescopes at the Lilienthal Observatory, first identified and sketched these linear features as narrow valleys or grooves on the Moon's surface. Schröter's detailed drawings, particularly of sinuous forms like what would later be named Vallis Schröteri, highlighted their meandering paths and association with regions, distinguishing them from craters and mountains. These observations marked the initial recognition of rilles as distinct geological structures, though earlier 17th-century maps by in his Selenographia (1647) had noted linear "fissures" on the lunar terrain without fully categorizing them as rilles. In the , systematic mapping advanced significantly through the efforts of selenographers like Johann Friedrich Julius Schmidt and Edmund Neison. Schmidt, working at the Athens Observatory, produced the most detailed hand-drawn lunar map of the era in the 1870s, cataloging 348 rilles with precise measurements derived from over 57,000 micrometer observations. Neison, in his 1876 publication The Moon, contributed to nomenclature efforts by collating and standardizing names from prior maps, including those of Schmidt and , which helped organize the growing inventory of rille features. These works emphasized the morphological diversity of rilles—sinuous, linear, and arcuate—while sparking early debates on their origins, with some attributing them to volcanic channels and others to tectonic shrinkage cracks from cooling lunar crust. The (IAU) formalized naming conventions in 1935 through the publication Named Lunar Formations by Mary Blagg and Karl Müller, adopting "" (Latin for ) as the standard prefix for lunar rilles, such as Rima Ariadaeus. By the mid-20th century, pre-Apollo interpretations increasingly favored volcanic origins, with rilles viewed as collapsed lava tubes analogous to terrestrial features like those in , based on spectroscopic and telescopic analogies. Advances in the 1960s came with NASA's Ranger and Surveyor missions, which provided the first close-up images confirming rilles as deep valleys rather than mere surface cracks. Ranger 7's 1964 impact sequence captured high-resolution views of Mare Nubium, revealing rille-like fractures in unprecedented detail, while subsequent Rangers imaged prominent examples like those near Alphonsus crater. Surveyor landers, starting with Surveyor 1 in 1966, offered ground-level perspectives that supported the valley interpretation and reinforced volcanic hypotheses through soil mechanics data.

Modern Observations

Modern observations of lunar and planetary rilles have been revolutionized by orbital missions providing high-resolution imaging and spectroscopic data. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), launched in 2009, utilizes its Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) to capture images at 0.5 m/pixel resolution, enabling detailed topographic and morphological analysis of lunar rilles through stereo photogrammetry. These observations have facilitated the mapping and study of hundreds of sinuous and linear rilles, revealing their associations with mare basalt flows and tectonic features. Similarly, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), operational since 2006, employs the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) to acquire images at 0.25–1.3 m/pixel, offering unprecedented details of Martian rilles, including their cross-sections and surface textures within regions like Valles Marineris. In-situ exploration has provided direct insights into rille structures. During the Apollo 15 mission in 1971, astronauts and traversed portions of Hadley Rille using the , collecting samples from its walls and floor that confirmed basaltic compositions and enabled ground-truthing of data. Recent mission concepts build on this legacy; NASA's Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER), scheduled for launch no earlier than 2027, will explore the lunar south pole's shadowed regions, potentially accessing polar rilles to map and sample volatiles in rugged terrains. Analytical techniques applied to these datasets have advanced understanding of rille formation and evolution. from LRO NAC stereo pairs generates 3D topographic models, quantifying rille depths and widths to distinguish volcanic from tectonic origins. , including multispectral data from LRO's Wide Angle Camera and complementary instruments like the Moon Mineralogy Mapper, identifies basaltic compositions in rille walls, with high-iron and low-titanium signatures prevalent in many lunar examples. Crater counting on these surfaces yields absolute model ages, with many lunar rilles dated to approximately 3.5 billion years ago (Ga), aligning with peak volcanism periods. Post-2020 analyses of LRO data have refined chronologies, demonstrating that rille formation ages often overlap with basalt emplacement, supporting models of contemporaneous volcanic and structural processes. For Martian rilles, observations from the orbiter confirm tectonic dominance in , where linear graben-like rilles exhibit fault-controlled morphologies without significant volcanic infill. Looking ahead, NASA's , with Artemis III targeted for no earlier than mid-2027, plans crewed sampling in the region, including potential access to rille floors and walls for volatile analysis to support sustainable exploration.

References

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