Engineering Aspects of Seismicity on the Moon

Moonquakes are part of the lunar environment, which can impact lunar systems and structures. Lunar seismic activities were first detected during the Apollo missions. The strongest lunar seismic events detected had magnitudes estimated up to 5.5 on the Richter scale. Using Apollo moonquake data, many constrained models of the lunar interior were determined. An updated future lunar seismic network would be able to further constrain these estimates and improve the current understanding of the Moon's structure. This network would consist of at least three stations and would potentially benefit from a fourth station located on the far side of the Moon and is known as the lunar geophysical network (LGN). Currently moonquakes are considered a low risk environmental condition, but this is subject to change with regards to long-term lunar bases and structures. Ground-based testing on Earth, simulating moonquakes and lunar environment conditions for lunar bases, rovers, robots, and other systems will benefit understanding how these lunar systems and structures will function on the Moon. Testing should take into consideration the current AIT capabilities of Canada and other nations with respect to the future lunar mission requirements. This paper provides an update on the knowledge of lunar seismicity based on the overview of the available literature since 2010, while taking into account important discoveries from the Apollo program. Another important focus of this paper is on the engineering aspects of design of lunar systems and structures for moonquakes. Risks due to lunar seismicity and comments on their mitigation are also presented. Conclusions and recommendations associated with future lunar seismicity related research and some testing aspects are also included.