NASA decides to cancel lunar rover mission due to escalating costs
Date
7/18/2024 5:37:39 AM
(MENAFN) On Wednesday, NASA made the decision to cancel its lunar rover mission, known as Viper, citing escalating costs and persistent delays in its development. Originally slated for launch aboard a lander provided by Astrobotic technology in late 2023, the Viper rover faced numerous setbacks due to extensive testing requirements and budgetary overruns, which in turn posed risks to other concurrent projects within the agency.
The primary objective of the Viper rover was to conduct exploration at the moon's south pole, specifically to investigate the presence of water ice in lunar craters. NASA disclosed that approximately USD450 million had already been allocated towards the rover's development efforts.
This announcement arrives just days before the 55th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 mission, during which Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the lunar surface on July 20, 1969. Despite the cancellation of Viper, NASA remains committed to studying lunar ice and its implications through alternative initiatives.
Meanwhile, Astrobotic Technology, although experiencing setbacks with its recent moon landing attempt that ended in failure over the South Pacific in January, intends to proceed with its Griffin moon lander mission by the end of next year. This revised plan excludes the previously intended rover component but underscores ongoing efforts in private-sector lunar exploration despite challenges encountered along the way.
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