NASA Seeks Industry Partners for VIPER Moon Rover Mission

NASA Explores Industry, Partner Interest in Using VIPER Moon Rover

NASA has recently issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gauge interest from American companies and institutions in conducting a mission using the agency’s VIPER Moon rover. The VIPER rover, which stands for Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, was built to map the location and concentration of potential off-planet resources, such as ice, on the South Pole of the Moon. Although NASA announced its intent to discontinue VIPER and explore alternative methods to verify the presence of frozen water on the lunar South Pole, the agency is open to partnering with interested organizations to make use of the VIPER rover system.

The RFI period for expressions of interest took place from July 17 to August 1, and now NASA is seeking more information on how interested parties would utilize VIPER at minimal to no cost to the government. While this RFI is open to U.S. organizations and industry, NASA will also explore interest from the international community through separate channels.

Nicola Fox, the Associate Administrator of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, expressed gratitude for those who provided expressions of interest and emphasized the agency’s commitment to making the best use of the engineering, technology, and expertise developed by the VIPER project. The goal is to advance scientific knowledge of the Moon without impacting future commercial deliveries to the lunar surface. Future commercial lunar payload services and instruments on NASA’s crewed missions will continue to assess volatiles across the South Pole region.

Potential Future Trends

The RFI issued by NASA opens up a range of potential future trends in lunar exploration and the utilization of the VIPER rover system. Here are a few key possibilities:

1. Increased Collaboration: The RFI showcases NASA’s willingness to collaborate with industry partners and leverage their expertise and resources for lunar exploration. This trend of collaboration between government agencies and private companies is likely to continue in the future, leading to more efficient and innovative missions to the Moon.
2. Advancements in Resource Mapping: The VIPER rover system was designed to map the location and concentration of potential resources, such as ice, on the Moon. As more missions utilize the VIPER rover or similar systems, there will likely be advancements in resource mapping techniques and technologies, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of available resources for future lunar missions.
3. Commercial Opportunities: With NASA’s commitment to continue commercial deliveries to the Moon, there will be increasing opportunities for private companies to participate in lunar exploration. This could lead to the development of new technologies and services specifically tailored for lunar missions, opening up a new industry sector focused on lunar exploration.
4. Increasing International Participation: While the RFI is currently open to U.S. organizations and industry, NASA is also exploring interest from the international community. This presents an opportunity for international collaboration on lunar missions and the sharing of resources and expertise. This trend of international participation is likely to grow in the future, leading to truly global lunar exploration efforts.

Predictions and Recommendations

Based on these potential future trends, here are a few predictions and recommendations for the industry:

1. Increased Investment in Lunar Exploration: As the potential for resource utilization on the Moon becomes more evident, there will be an increased investment in lunar exploration. Private companies and governments alike will allocate resources towards developing technologies and capabilities for future lunar missions.
2. Partnerships between Government and Industry: Governments and industry partners should prioritize collaboration and partnership in order to maximize the benefits of lunar exploration. Government agencies can provide funding and resources, while private companies can contribute expertise and innovative technologies.
3. Development of Lunar-Specific Technologies: The industry should focus on developing technologies specifically suited for lunar missions. This includes advancements in resource mapping, propulsion systems, surface mobility, and life support systems, among others.
4. Standardization and Cooperation: As lunar exploration becomes a shared goal among multiple organizations and countries, it will be important to establish standards and promote cooperation. This will ensure compatibility and interoperability between different lunar missions and systems.

Overall, the potential future trends in lunar exploration, as highlighted by NASA’s RFI for the VIPER rover, indicate a growing interest and investment in the Moon. With increased collaboration, advancements in resource mapping, commercial opportunities, and international participation, the industry is poised for significant growth in the coming years.

References:

• NASA VIPER Rover Website

Media Contacts:

• Alise Fisher / Erin Morton
• Headquarters, Washington
• 202-358-2546 / 202-805-9393
• alise.m.fisher@nasa.gov / erin.morton@nasa.gov