Ancient carrier requires map to orbit moon (7)
I believe the answer is:
chariot
'ancient carrier' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'map to orbit moon' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'moon' could be 'io' (moon of Jupiter) and 'io' is located in the answer.
'map' could be 'chart' (chart is a kind of map) and 'chart' is located in the remaining letters.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).
'requires' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for chariot that I've seen before include "ceremonial carriage" , "coach" , "ride in carriage" , "American religious folksong 'Swing low, sweet ...'" , "Ben Hur transport?" .)