There have been many leaps in space technology over the years, but the time and resources that are required for such intensive projects have inhibited their growth. From the NASA VIPER mission update, it is apparent that despite the roadblocks, the agency is determined to keep moving forward. The last time we heard about the VIPER rover lunar exploration project was back in July 2024, and it was bad news—NASA had planned to discontinue the development of its VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) project.
The space and science were aghast at the news and a petition with over 4,500 signatures was said to have been circulated in Congress, emphasizing the importance of reviving the project. The VIPER rover lunar exploration project received enough attention that NASA issued a Request for Information on August 9, 2024, to assess interest in the program among institutions across the U.S.
Now, NASA has published an Announcement for Partnership Proposals (AFPP), opening itself up to submissions from parties that are willing to collaborate with the agency in furthering the project.
Image: Freepik
NASA’s VIPER Mission Update—The Deadline for the Submissions Is Narrow
NASA’s Moon rover mission may make some headway in 2025 but it is too soon to explore if there truly is a future for this project. For now, both public and private entities that are “interested in partnering with NASA to obtain science data with NASA’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Explorer Rover (VIPER) by landing it on the Moon, operating it, and sharing the science results,” have been invited to send in their proposals.
What is the Purpose of the NASA VIPER Mission?
The VIPER rover lunar exploration program has been a matter of great interest for NASA and its Artemis campaign. Since its inception, the project was aimed at reaching and exploring the south pole of the Moon in greater detail. The main focus of the project has been to discover water ice on the Moon, which would be a very critical finding and open doors for more in-depth investigations. The knowledge will be crucial in planning for future manned missions into space, supporting the prolonged presence of human life.
According to NASA’s VIPER mission update, the purpose of the project remains the same but the organization is looking for more collaborators who can help the rover get to its destination and gather relevant data, adding in their own complementary science goals and ideas into the mix.
Earlier in July 2024, the space agency had indicated that it was suspending all work on the project citing overspending on the project, expensive launch delays, and concerns over future cost as the primary reason for the decision. It is still unclear if these concerns have been fully put to rest enough to allow NASA room to reignite the project with renewed vigor but it does appear that NASA is willing to explore its options.
Image: NASA
How to Sign Up for a Partnership with The NASA Lunar Mission?
Those interested in joining NASA’s Moon rover mission have been invited to send in their proposals by February 20, 2025. The proposal instructions and evaluation criteria for the new Lunar Volatiles Science Partnership have also been detailed along with the announcement, giving interested parties a clear picture of what is expected of them.
An initial round of evaluation will be conducted with the submitted proposals, after which selected respondents will have the opportunity to submit a more detailed proposal to explore their plan fully. Any partnerships established through this project will result in a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between NASA and the contributor, taking forward both the research and reach of the project.
What Role Will a Partner Play in the NASA Moon Rover Mission in 2025?
According to NASA’s VIPER mission updates, the space agency will be the one to provide the rover that it has been able to build, as is. On the other hand, the partner’s role lies in arranging for the rover’s landing on the Moon, conducting exploration campaigns using the rover, and breaking down the data that is ultimately collected. The role of the collaborator will remain critical throughout the operation and it is evident that the mission’s success will rely heavily on them.
“NASA’s selection approach will favor proposals that enable data from the mission’s science instruments to be shared openly with anyone who wishes to use it,” so applicants signing up with NASA need to be well aware of this factor. Not only will this progress be beneficial for the scientific community but it should also be a prime opportunity for the collaborating party to showcase their lunar surface operations capabilities.
NASA’s 2025 update on the VIPER mission is a positive bit of news, bringing back hope that the rover that has been left dormant will be put to good use if the mission is successfully revived. Space exploration has its many downsides, but the thrill of gaining new data outweighs much of the anxiety of what comes next.