NASA selects Astrobotic to send VIPER rover to the moon

TechnologyNASA selects Astrobotic to send VIPER rover to the moon

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NASA selects Astrobotic to send VIPER rover to the moon

NASA has selected Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic Technology to deliver a new lunar rover, the VIPER, to the south pole of the moon in late 2023 to hunt for water ice, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine announced Thursday.

NASA considers VIPER to be the first resource-mapping mission on the surface of another world. It is intended to prepare for the new Artemis human missions to the lunar surface, planned for 2024.

“We’re doing something that’s never been done before — testing the instruments on the moon as the rover is being developed,” Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA’s associate administrator for science, said in a virtual press conference Thursday morning.

He said the rover and other exploration missions leading up to its landing will help reveal “the moon’s vast scientific potential.”

Ultimately, the rover is aimed at developing a sustainable, long-term robotic and human presence on the moon as part of the Artemis program.

Astrobotic will provide all services, including launch and landing on the moon, as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative. John Thornton, the CEO of Astrobotic, declined to say what launch provider his firm would select.

NASA said the mission is estimated to cost $199.5 million, but that might be adjusted. Under NASA’s new focus on commercialization of space exploration, Astrobotic’s contract will reflect the total mission cost, and the company might subcontract some work.

Astrobotic is developing a lunar lander system, called Peregrine, privately to deliver experiments and other technology to the moon for private companies, governments, universities, non-profits. The company claims it can do so at roughly $2.3 million for every two pounds.

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