ESA Approves Europe's First Lunar Rover, MAGPIE, for 2029 South Pole Mission

The European Space Agency (ESA) and ispace-EUROPE have finalized the Phase 2 agreement for MAGPIE, Europe's inaugural lunar rover. Slated for a 2029 launch, the rover will explore the Moon's south pole to prospect for water ice and map subsurface geology. Equipped with a drill, volatile analyzer, ground-penetrating radar, and neutron detector, it represents a significant step in European lunar exploration.