NASA’s VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) may still have a future on the Moon—if the private sector steps in to help. Despite the program’s cancellation last year due to budget constraints, the space agency is now seeking proposals from U.S. companies to deliver and operate the ice-hunting rover on the lunar surface.
Reviving VIPER: A Second Chance for Lunar Exploration
Originally planned as a $450 million mission, VIPER was set to ride aboard Astrobotic’s Griffin lander under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. The rover’s mission: hunt for water ice deposits near the Moon’s south pole, a crucial step for establishing Artemis program lunar bases.
However, on July 17, 2024, NASA canceled the mission, citing an $84 million cost-saving measure. But just weeks later, on August 9, NASA signaled renewed interest in deploying the rover by issuing a request for information (RFI) to private companies. Now, the agency is formally requesting partnership proposals, with a deadline set for February 20, 2024.
How NASA Plans to Work with Private Companies
Rather than redesigning the mission, NASA will provide the fully assembled VIPER rover as-is. Selected private partners will be responsible for:
✔ Integrating VIPER with a lunar lander
✔ Ensuring a successful Moon landing
✔ Conducting a full scientific exploration campaign
✔ Disseminating VIPER’s scientific data
However, companies will not be allowed to disassemble the rover or transfer its instruments to other spacecraft.
“Moving forward with a VIPER partnership offers NASA a unique opportunity to engage with the private sector,” said Nicky Fox, associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. “Such a partnership provides the opportunity for NASA to collect VIPER science that could tell us more about water on the Moon, while advancing commercial lunar landing capabilities and resource prospecting possibilities.”
Why VIPER Matters for the Artemis Program
VIPER is a key piece of NASA’s long-term lunar strategy. The Moon’s south pole is a prime location for permanently shadowed craters, where water ice may be trapped beneath the surface. By studying these deposits, scientists hope to:
🌕 Determine the distribution and accessibility of lunar water ice
🚀 Support in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) for future missions
🔬 Advance lunar geology and planetary science
Access to Moon-based water could help sustain astronaut crews, produce oxygen for life support, and even create fuel for deep-space missions.
“Being selected for the VIPER partnership would benefit any company interested in advancing their lunar landing and surface operations capabilities,” said Joel Kearns, NASA’s deputy associate administrator for exploration.
What’s Next for VIPER?
🔹 Feb. 20, 2024 – Deadline for initial proposals from private companies.
🔹 Mid-2024 – NASA will request detailed proposals from selected candidates.
🔹 Summer 2024 – Final decision on the commercial partner.
If successful, VIPER could still fly to the Moon, helping lay the foundation for sustained lunar exploration and future human settlement efforts.
With the private sector playing an increasing role in space exploration, NASA’s shift toward public-private partnerships could usher in a new era of scientific discovery on the Moon and beyond. 🚀🌕
