NASA said on Thursday that it will not deploy its rover to the moon, citing excessive costs and launch delays. The project, known as Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, or VIPER, will be cancelled after a “comprehensive internal review,” NASA announced at a news conference.
The space agency stated that the decision to reassess the project was made in light of rising expenses, probable future cost hikes, and a delayed launch date. According to NASA, the rover was supposed to launch in late 2023, but it had to be postponed until later this year.
After another delay, NASA estimated that the launch would take place in September 2025. The VIPER robot was ready to explore the moon’s South Pole, collecting soil samples with a drill. The launch was to be carried out with the assistance of Astrobotic, a private space firm.
NASA stated that the rover would now be disassembled and its components repurposed elsewhere. “Our path forward will make maximum use of the technology and work that went into VIPER while preserving critical funds to support our robust lunar portfolio,” Nicola Fox, NASA’s manager, stated.
