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About

Maurizio Pajola is a leading figure in planetary science, with a focused expertise in the exploration of lunar caves and lava tubes—critical targets for future human and robotic missions to the Moon. His major contributions center on the feasibility and methodology of subsurface exploration, most notably through his work on the DAEDALUS spherical robot concept. In his 2021 paper on "Lunar Caves Exploration with the DAEDALUS Spherical Robot," which has garnered 4 citations, Pajola outlines a novel robotic design capable of navigating the treacherous, low-gravity environments of lunar voids. Complementing this, his 2022 study on "Radiance values inside lunar caves and lava tubes" (3 citations) provides essential photometric data, quantifying the illumination conditions within these permanently shadowed structures. This work is pivotal for designing sensors and power systems for future probes. Pajola’s research directly addresses a growing interest in in-situ resource utilization and habitat construction, positioning him as a key contributor to the next generation of lunar exploration. His achievements are foundational for any mission concept aiming to unlock the secrets of the Moon’s underground.