The surface of the moon is hostile. A newly found cave could be a lifesaver.

National Geographic quotes Tracy Gregg in a story about a newly found lava tube, or cave, on the surface of the moon that could provide shelter to future space explorers. “The lunar surface is hostile to humans and machines,” said Gregg. Unprotected astronauts could face radiation doses ranging from dangerous to deadly. “A solar storm could literally kill people on the lunar surface,” says Gregg. “Computers don’t like solar radiation either.” Lava caves, then, would make for sturdy storage spaces to supplement lunar outposts being built by astronauts and robots over time. “Ready-made sub-surface habitats or storage areas would save a great deal of work for folks,” says Gregg.