The scientific community was taken aback when NASA announced the cancellation of its ambitious VIPER moon rover mission last month. This rover, designed to explore the lunar south pole for evidence of water ice, was considered essential for understanding the potential resources available for future human missions to the moon. The cancellation was attributed to rising costs, leading to widespread disappointment and concerns about the future of lunar exploration.
A scathing open letter to Congress, penned by scientists, denounced the cancellation as “unprecedented and indefensible.” The letter questioned NASA’s claim that the mission’s demise wouldn’t impact plans for human lunar missions, arguing that VIPER was crucial for understanding the presence of water ice – a vital resource for sustained human presence on the moon.
However, a glimmer of hope has emerged. Intuitive Machines, a private company responsible for a successful lunar lander mission earlier this year, has expressed a strong interest in reviving the VIPER mission. They see it as a critical endeavor for both scientific advancement and the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon.
Steve Altemus, CEO of Intuitive Machines, highlighted the mission’s importance in prospecting for volatiles and water ice on the lunar surface. He emphasized that his company is actively exploring the costs involved in completing the rover and working with other partners, including universities and companies, to make this happen.
Intuitive Machines envisions utilizing its own Nova-D lander, currently in development, to transport the rover to the moon. This lander boasts a larger weight capacity compared to the Nova-C lander used in their previous mission. If successful, the revived VIPER mission could launch as early as late 2027.
NASA is reportedly open to handing over the mission to a commercial partner, a decision that would prevent the significant work already invested in VIPER from going to waste. The future of the mission is expected to be clarified in the coming month, with anticipation growing for a potential revival of this crucial scientific endeavor.
