NASA is advancing its plans for the VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) mission by inviting U.S. proposals for public/private partnerships. The agency aims to land and operate VIPER on the Moon as part of its Artemis campaign, focusing on the search for lunar ice and the collection of scientific data.
The Announcement for Partnership Proposal details the submission process, with responses due by February 20, 2025. Selected partners will need to submit a detailed proposal following initial evaluations, with NASA expected to finalize decisions on the VIPER mission this summer.
Nicky Fox, associate administrator at NASA Headquarters, emphasized the potential for private sector collaboration to enhance lunar exploration capabilities. This initiative follows an August 2024 Request for Information, which sought interest from American companies after the program was previously canceled.
Under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, NASA will provide the existing VIPER rover, while partners must manage its integration, landing, and scientific operations. Proposals that promote open access to the mission's scientific data will be prioritized.
Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration, noted that this partnership could significantly benefit companies looking to develop lunar landing technologies. NASA aims to leverage industry expertise to tackle challenges associated with conducting volatiles science on the Moon.
The VIPER mission is crucial for understanding lunar water resources, which have implications for future human exploration and the broader study of planetary processes.