Several research studies have revealed cave-like formations about a meter deep in the moon which scientists believe were actually entrances to a complex labyrinth of lunar tunnels.

Now Russian scientists think these caves are actually an ideal spot for placing a colony, and in fact, are considering building a base in the moon's underground tunnel.

Renowned Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev said that this new discovery that the moon may be a rather porous body could significantly alter our approach to founding lunar bases. "There wouldn't be any need to dig the lunar soil and build walls and ceilings. It would be enough to use an inflatable module with a hard outer shell to - roughly speaking - seal the caves," he explained.

He noted that the moon's surface is extremely harsh so any base that will be built on it would get exposed to copious amounts of radiation and meteor showers. However, if the base is built underground, such a base would be ideally protected from a number of hazardous factors.

It would in fact be a lot more cost effective since instead of building walls or setting up modules, an inflatable tent would be put to use with its hard outer shell sealing the tunnel, he said.

Boris Kryuchkov, the deputy science head at the training centre, estimates that the first lunar colony could be built by 2030.