NASA has announced the discontinuation of its VIPER project, a lunar rover designed to search for ice and other resources on the Moon’s surface. The decision comes after a comprehensive internal review citing cost increases, delays, and risks of future cost growth. The Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover was originally set to launch in late 2023 but faced multiple delays, pushing its readiness date to September 2025. Nicola Fox, associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, stated that the agency remains committed to studying and exploring the Moon through its Commercial Lunar Payload Services program.
Despite the cancellation, NASA plans to reuse VIPER’s instruments and components for future Moon missions. The agency is also considering expressions of interest from US industry and international partners for use of the existing rover system at no cost. Astrobotic will continue its Griffin Mission One, working towards a launch scheduled for fall 2025. Alternative methods will be pursued to accomplish VIPER’s goals, including the Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1, set to land at the lunar South Pole in late 2024.
NASA’s Shift in Lunar Exploration Strategy
NASA has announced its decision to discontinue the development of the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) project, citing cost increases, delays, and risks of future cost growth as the primary reasons. The VIPER rover was originally designed to launch in late 2023 but faced multiple schedule and supply chain delays, pushing its readiness date to September 2025.
The agency has notified Congress of its intent to stand down on the mission, which would have resulted in increased costs threatening cancellation or disruption to other Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) missions. Instead, NASA plans to disassemble and reuse VIPER’s instruments and components for future Moon missions, preserving critical funds to support its robust lunar portfolio.
The Future of Lunar Exploration
Despite the discontinuation of VIPER, NASA remains committed to studying and exploring the Moon through the CLPS program. The agency has an array of missions planned to look for ice and other resources on the Moon over the next five years. One such mission is the Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1 (PRIME-1), scheduled to land at the South Pole during the fourth quarter of 2024, which will search for water ice and carry out a resource utilization demonstration.
Additionally, future instruments as part of NASA’s crewed missions, such as the Lunar Terrain Vehicle, will allow for mobile observations of volatiles across the south polar region. These instruments will also provide access for astronauts to the Moon’s permanently shadowed regions for dedicated sample return campaigns. The agency will also use copies of three of VIPER’s four instruments for future Moon landings on separate flights.
Alternative Methods for Lunar Exploration
NASA is pursuing alternative methods to accomplish many of VIPER’s goals, including verifying the presence of ice at the lunar South Pole. The agency is considering expressions of interest from U.S. industry and international partners for use of the existing VIPER rover system at no cost to the government. This will allow for the reuse of VIPER’s instruments and components in future Moon missions.
Astrobotic, the company contracted by NASA for the CLPS program, will continue its Griffin Mission One, working toward a launch scheduled for no earlier than fall 2025. The landing without VIPER will provide a flight demonstration of the Griffin lander and its engines.
Preserving Critical Funds for Lunar Exploration
By discontinuing the VIPER project, NASA is preserving critical funds to support its robust lunar portfolio. The agency’s path forward will make maximum use of the technology and work that went into VIPER, ensuring that the investment in the project is not wasted.
The decision to discontinue VIPER also highlights NASA’s commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. By avoiding cost overruns and delays, the agency can ensure that its lunar exploration program remains sustainable and effective in achieving its goals.
The Broader Context of Lunar Exploration
NASA’s lunar initiatives, including Artemis human missions and CLPS, are part of a broader effort to explore more of the Moon than ever before. The agency is using highly trained astronauts, advanced robotics, U.S. commercial providers, and international partners to achieve this goal.
Through its lunar exploration program, NASA is working to unravel some of the greatest mysteries of our solar system. By studying the Moon, the agency can gain insights into the formation and evolution of the Earth-Moon system, as well as the potential for human exploration and settlement of the Moon.
External Link: Click Here For More
