The Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M³) is one of two instruments that NASA is contributing to India’s first mission to the Moon, Chandrayaan-1 (meaning “Lunar Craft” in ancient Sanskrit), which launched on October 22, 2008. M³ is a state-of-the-art imaging spectrometer that will assess the mineralogy of the entire lunar surface at high spatial and spectral resolution, mapping the Moon’s composition and revealing processes active on its surface through time.

Scientists will use this information to answer questions about the Moon’s origin and development and the evolution of terrestrial planets in the early solar system. Future astronauts will use it to locate resources, possibly including water, that can support exploration of the Moon and beyond.