VIPER, which stands for Volatiles Investigating Polar Explorer Rover, is making a triumphant return to the forefront of lunar exploration. NASA officials announced that this innovative moon robot will embark on its journey to the lunar surface aboard Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin in late 2027. This mission is part of NASA's broader initiative to enhance our understanding of the moon and establish a sustainable American presence there.
Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy emphasized the importance of this mission, stating, "NASA is leading the world in exploring more of the moon than ever before." The delivery of VIPER represents just one of the numerous ways in which NASA is leveraging the capabilities of U.S. industry to support a long-term presence on the lunar surface. This mission aligns with the goals of the Artemis program, which aims to create a sustainable human presence on and around the moon by the end of the decade.
The VIPER mission plays a crucial role in NASA's Artemis program, focusing on the moon's south polar region. This area is believed to contain significant reserves of water ice, which is essential for future lunar exploration. VIPER is designed to assess the abundance and accessibility of this vital resource, which can be utilized for life support and transformed into rocket fuel by splitting it into hydrogen and oxygen.
Originally slated to land on the moon in late 2023 aboard the Griffin lander, developed by Pittsburgh-based company Astrobotic, the VIPER mission faced multiple delays. In July 2024, NASA announced the cancellation of this over-budget mission to save approximately $84 million, despite having already invested around $450 million into its development. The agency explored potential partnerships with private companies to facilitate VIPER's journey to the moon, considering alternative options if these collaborations did not materialize.
In May of this year, NASA pivoted from its search for industry partnerships, indicating that a new strategy for VIPER would be forthcoming. The agency revealed this strategy, announcing a new Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) agreement with Blue Origin, valued at up to $190 million. This agreement will utilize Blue Origin's Blue Moon Mark 1 lander, which is set to debut on another NASA CLPS mission to the lunar south pole later this year.
Nicky Fox, Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, reiterated the agency's commitment to lunar exploration, stating, "We've been looking for creative, cost-effective approaches to accomplish these exploration goals." The collaboration with Blue Origin exemplifies a focus on leveraging private sector capabilities to ensure that NASA's investments yield robust and affordable outcomes for future exploration.
If everything proceeds as planned, VIPER is expected to land near the moon's south pole and conduct a search for water ice over approximately 100 Earth days. NASA will oversee the scientific operations of the rover, while Blue Origin will manage the landing mission architecture, VIPER's integration into the Blue Moon lander, and the deployment of the rover onto the lunar surface. It is important to note that the CLPS contract does not include provisions for the mission's launch.
In conclusion, the return of VIPER marks a significant milestone in NASA's ongoing efforts to explore the moon and utilize its resources for future space missions. As we look forward to its launch in 2027, the collaboration with Blue Origin highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing space exploration.
