Nasa on Wednesday cancelled its $450 million worth Moon rover mission called Viper (Volatiles investigating polar exploration rover) citing budgetary concerns. However, the agency is set to continue moon exploration.
“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 said in a statement.
“We are committed to studying and exploring the Moon for the benefit of humanity through the CLPS program,” said Nasa scientist Nicola Fox.
“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,” he added.
What will happen toViper now
The space agency intends to dismantle and reuse Viper’s instruments and components for upcoming Moon missions.
“NASA is planning to disassemble and reuse VIPER’s instruments and components for future Moon missions. Prior to disassembly, NASA will consider expressions of interest from U.S. industry and international partners by Thursday, Aug. 1, for use of the existing VIPER rover system at no cost to the government,” it said.
The Viper rover was created to explore the Moon for ice and other valuable resources, advancing NASA’s mission to investigate our lunar neighbor and uncover key mysteries within our solar system.
Originally scheduled for a late 2023 launch, Nasa postponed the mission to late 2024.
“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 said in a statement.
“We are committed to studying and exploring the Moon for the benefit of humanity through the CLPS program,” said Nasa scientist Nicola Fox.
“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,” he added.
What will happen toViper now
The space agency intends to dismantle and reuse Viper’s instruments and components for upcoming Moon missions.
“NASA is planning to disassemble and reuse VIPER’s instruments and components for future Moon missions. Prior to disassembly, NASA will consider expressions of interest from U.S. industry and international partners by Thursday, Aug. 1, for use of the existing VIPER rover system at no cost to the government,” it said.
The Viper rover was created to explore the Moon for ice and other valuable resources, advancing NASA’s mission to investigate our lunar neighbor and uncover key mysteries within our solar system.
Originally scheduled for a late 2023 launch, Nasa postponed the mission to late 2024.
