MÁNI

“Moon Analog Network of Iceland”

MÁNI is the Norse god of the Moon, it is also the Iceland Space Agency and IRISS´s R&D program that stands for “Moon Analog Network of Iceland”. The MÁNI program will provide our partners in the public and private space sectors critical expertise and hi-fidelity Lunar and Martian environments that will inform humanity’s return to the lunar surface as we reach for Mars.  Iceland has the most diverse set of lunar and martian analogs than exist anywhere else on Earth, these terrestrial sites are a critical resource for space exploration.  In 1965 and 1967 all of the Apollo astronauts came to Iceland to train and conduct geological field research that provided mission confidence and informed the eventual lunar landings.  Today the Artemis astronauts, the sister to Apollo, have returned to Iceland to train, test and  develop the innovative technologies and procedures that will be essential for humanity’s next great leap.  As a signatory to the Artemis Accords, the ISA has developed MÁNI as Iceland´s contribution to the Artemis Missions.

The research, testing, development and training that will be conducted at our MÁNI terrestrial analog sites will include surface mobility, human robot teaming, crew health / performance, life support, Astro Agriculture, AI/ML support, and In-situ Resource utilization aka ISRU.