NASA’s New Lunar Instruments Will Help Map Resources, Support Future Moon Missions

As part of its Artemis lunar campaign, NASA has selected three new scientific instruments that will advance efforts to explore the Moon’s surface and prepare for future human exploration. Two of the instruments will be mounted on the forthcoming Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV), which is designed to carry astronauts and operate remotely, while the third will be deployed during a future orbital mission.

The new instruments are intended to deepen scientific understanding of the Moon’s surface and subsurface, particularly in the south polar region. The Artemis Infrared Reflectance and Emission Spectrometer (AIRES) will map minerals and volatiles—substances like water, carbon dioxide, and ammonia—by overlaying spectral data on visible images. Meanwhile, the Lunar Microwave Active-Passive Spectrometer (L-MAPS) will use radar and spectrometry to examine structures and materials up to 40 meters beneath the lunar surface, including the search for ice deposits. These tools will help NASA evaluate potential resources for future missions and identify scientifically valuable sites for astronauts to explore.

In addition to the rover-mounted instruments, NASA will send the Ultra-Compact Imaging Spectrometer for the Moon (UCIS-Moon) into lunar orbit. This device will gather high-resolution images and data to provide a broader context for surface-level discoveries. It will also monitor how human activities impact lunar volatiles and assist with selecting locations for collecting samples. The combined data will inform NASA’s long-term strategy for sustainable lunar exploration and development.

NASA is currently reviewing design proposals from three competing lunar rover contractors—Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost, and Venturi Astrolab. The agency expects to select a vendor by the end of 2025 to conduct a demonstration mission. These efforts are part of NASA’s broader Artemis goals, which include establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon and laying the groundwork for future missions to Mars.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from NASA Headquarters Press Release 25-044

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