Canada’s MAPLE and MAPPER Instruments Join NASA’s Next Lunar Payload

A pair of Canadian-built devices—MAPLE (Multipurpose Autonomous Impact Probe for Lunar Exploration) and MAPPER (Multispectral Analysis Prospector and Positional Exploration Relay)—are slated to fly on an upcoming NASA launch under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. Together they form the MINERAL (Multispectral Imager with Navigational Exploration Relay and Autonomous Lander) payload, which will be overseen by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and coordinated with NASA.

The Canadian tech hitching a ride on NASA’s lunar mission

MAPLE is a compact impact probe, described as a “space-age lawn dart,” intended to strike the lunar surface near the equator and transmit data on moisture and possible mineral composition. MAPPER is a CubeSat measuring roughly 30 × 20 × 10 cm, equipped with a multispectral camera, antenna, and thrusters. The two will operate in tandem: MAPPER will orbit the Moon, track MAPLE’s descent, photograph the resulting dust cloud, and relay data back to Earth, potentially via a NASA lander.

The Canadian tech hitching a ride on NASA’s lunar mission

The project is led by Philip Ferguson, professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Manitoba and director of the university’s Space Technology and Advanced Research Laboratory (STARLab), which he founded in 2017. Ferguson works with Magellan Aerospace’s Winnipeg division—awarded a CSA contract to design and manufacture a lunar resource exploration package—alongside space geologists from the University of Winnipeg and the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre, which contributes Indigenous visual-landmark navigation techniques.

The Canadian tech hitching a ride on NASA’s lunar mission

MAPPER’s orbital life is expected to span at least two lunar days and one night (about 44 Earth days) and could extend to nearly six months before a controlled de-orbit. MAPLE must survive impact and operate through a lunar day of roughly 14 Earth days; the subsequent lunar night, also about 14 Earth days, brings extreme cold that could force the hardware into dormancy. Navigation is complicated by the Moon’s lack of GPS, “wonky” gravity, and weak magnetic field, requiring reliance on visual landmarks and limited fuel-based thrusters rather than magnetic torquers.

The Canadian tech hitching a ride on NASA’s lunar mission

Ferguson emphasizes the collaborative nature of the effort, noting that the mission showcases “international co-operation.” He also stresses the scientific gap, stating “We know very little about the moon,” and explains that the timing of MAPLE’s landing is planned for lunar dawn to maximize daylight operations. He adds that NASA’s lander is not expected to be active during the lunar night, which influences the mission’s scheduling.

The Canadian tech hitching a ride on NASA’s lunar mission

• “It’s a great example of international co-operation,” — Philip Ferguson, professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Manitoba

The Canadian tech hitching a ride on NASA’s lunar mission

• “We know very little about the moon,” — Philip Ferguson, professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Manitoba

The Canadian tech hitching a ride on NASA’s lunar mission

• “We’re not expecting [NASA’s] lunar lander to be awake during that time,” — Philip Ferguson, professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Manitoba

The Canadian tech hitching a ride on NASA’s lunar mission