Alice Lucchetti

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About

Alice Lucchetti is a planetary scientist whose research centers on the exploration of the Moon’s surface and subsurface, with a particular focus on lunar caves and lava tubes as potential sites for future robotic and human missions. Her most-cited work, “Radiance values inside lunar caves and lava tubes” (2022), addresses the growing interest in in-situ exploration by characterizing the light environment within these underground structures—critical for mission planning and habitat design. By modeling radiance conditions, Lucchetti’s contributions help determine how rovers and astronauts might navigate and operate in permanently shadowed or dimly lit lunar environments. Though her citation count is still emerging (3 citations for this paper), her work sits at the forefront of a rapidly expanding field, directly supporting international efforts to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon. Lucchetti’s research bridges planetary geology and exploration engineering, offering practical insights for upcoming missions targeting lava tubes as natural shelters from radiation and temperature extremes. Her findings are increasingly referenced by mission concept teams and are foundational for understanding the operational challenges of subsurface lunar exploration.