NASA pulls plug on $450 million VIPER Rover Mission, eyes new lunar projects
NASA has cancelled its VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) mission, initially worth $450 million, following a comprehensive internal review. The decision was made due to escalating costs, delays, and potential future cost increases.
«NASA stated cost increases, delays to the launch date, and the risks of future cost growth as the reasons to stand down on the mission,» the agency explained in a statement.
Commitment to Lunar Exploration
Despite the cancellation, NASA remains committed to lunar exploration. Nicola Fox, Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, emphasized, “We are committed to studying and exploring the Moon for the benefit of humanity through the CLPS program.”
Fox further added, “The agency has an array of missions planned to look for ice and other resources on the Moon over the next five years. Our path forward will make maximum use of the technology and work that went into VIPER while preserving critical funds to support our robust lunar portfolio.”
Repurposing VIPER's Components
NASA plans to disassemble VIPER and repurpose its instruments and components for future Moon missions. «NASA is planning to disassemble and reuse VIPER’s instruments and components for future Moon missions,» the agency noted. Before disassembly, NASA will consider expressions of interest from U.S. industry and international partners by August 1, 2024, for using the existing VIPER rover system at no cost to the government.
Future Lunar Missions
Initially
