NASA Seeks Industry Partner for VIPER Lunar Exploration
NASA is inviting proposals from industry partners for the VIPER lunar exploration mission, focusing on landing and operating the rover on the moon.
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NASA has announced its plans to seek proposals from industry partners to collaborate on the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at exploring the moon's polar regions for vital resources.
The agency revealed that the Lunar Volatiles Science Partnership will be at the heart of this mission, focusing on the successful landing and operation of VIPER on the moon. This initiative is part of NASA’s larger Artemis campaign, which aims to expand human exploration of the lunar surface.
Through this partnership, NASA will supply the VIPER rover, while the chosen contractor will be tasked with integrating and landing this advanced piece of technology on the moon. Once operational, VIPER will traverse the lunar surface, gathering substantial scientific data that could shed light on the presence of ice and other volatiles.
The mission's primary objective is to locate and assess ice deposits that could be potentially utilized by astronauts in future lunar missions. Understanding these resources will also aid in unveiling the history and evolution of the moon itself.
Proposals from interested vendors are anticipated until February 20, with NASA evaluating potential partners based on their ability to enhance the mission's scientific and technological goals. This includes the possibility for partners to propose complementary scientific objectives, thus expanding the mission's scope.
Nicky Fox, NASA’s associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, emphasized the mission's significance, highlighting how it opens opportunities for commercial lunar landing innovations and resource extraction. Meanwhile, Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration, urged industry participants to present robust plans that outline the full scope of landing and operating VIPER on the lunar terrain.
