Máni in orbit

A render of Máni in lunar orbit; see the full lunar flyby animation here.

Future explorers will need detailed knowledge of the lunar landscape before they land and travel across its surface. Led by the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, Máni is a lunar orbiter that will photograph selected regions from multiple viewing angles to create highly detailed maps of the Moon’s topography and surface reflectivity. These observations could help identify small-scale hazards to improve landing-site assessments and route planning for future missions.

Máni is one of four candidate missions that are part of ESA's Moon Explore initiative. By accepting a higher level of risk in exchange for lower cost and faster development, the initiative aims to deliver valuable missions to the Moon within just a few years while helping European teams develop new capabilities for future exploration.