LUPE
A Polish infrared spectrometer to map lunar minerals from orbit.
Within the LUPE consortium led by GMV, MIRORES develops the primary payload of ESA's High-Resolution Moon Mineralogy Mapper. The mid- and far-infrared spectrometer will show where resources are located on the Moon.
Lunar bases and infrastructure should be placed where the resources are. LUPE is an ESA mission concept to map the lunar surface in the mid- and far-infrared at high resolution to show where specific minerals occur.
Mapping lunar minerals from orbit
MIRORES is responsible for the mission's main instrument: an infrared spectrometer with a Cassegrain telescope and diffraction grating. Operating from lunar orbit, it will target:
- Ilmenite: a potential source of iron, titanium, oxygen and solar-wind-implanted helium-3
- Apatite: may host rare earth elements and OH groups
- Water ice in the polar regions
The data will complement existing lunar mineral maps and help select landing sites, base locations and areas for detailed rover exploration. This supports in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU). Ground versions of the MIRORES spectrometers are already being tested in mines and at geological sites.
Timeline
Phase A
completed Q3 2026
Phase B1
September 2026 to March 2027
Phases B2-D
2027-2029
Launch and operations
launch no earlier than September 2029, orbital operations until 2031
Funding: European Space Agency, main contract no. 4000150171/25/NL/MGu/ng. Consortium led by GMV.
Read more: PAP MediaRoom: Polski spektrometr pomoże szukać surowców na Księżycu