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Can private companies carry NASA back to the Moon?

Lew Rockwell

Evidence Relating to NASA Moon Landings, Unexplained Flaws: What Is Reality? What Is Illusion?

Thousands of scientists have written an open letter to the US Congress demanding NASA reverse its "unprecedented and indefensible" decision to cancel the $450M Viper lunar rover mission.

Guardian

Last month, NASA announced canceling the robotic Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rove (Viper) mission, citing delays to the launch date and cost overruns.

Biden NASA

However, astronomers and astrophysicists worldwide claim the mission's cancelation "undermines Nasa's entire lunar exploration programme for the next decade."

Prof. Clive Neal of the University of Notre Dame argues that Viper's axing is illogical, "especially considering the substantial investments already made."

While the launch will happen as scheduled with a nonfunctional "mass simulator," the already built Viper — a wheeled, car-sized vehicle — is set to be disassembled.

nytimes

Last week, NASA solicited "expressions of interest" from American companies and institutions in conducting a mission using the Viper's lunar rover.

SpaceNews

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Scientists are up in arms over NASA's “unprecedented and indefensible” cancellation of the $450M Viper lunar rover mission meant to look for ice on the moon.

Guardian #4070

Astronomers and astrophysicists from across the globe have written an open letter to the US Congress criticizing NASA for axing the 2025 mission.

Prof. Clive Neal of the University of Notre Dame reportedly said Viper's cancellation "makes no logical sense" and harmed NASA’s lunar ambitions.

NASA had on July 17 announced canceling the robotic Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rove (Viper) mission due to time and cost overruns.

While the launch will happen as scheduled with a “mass simulator,” the already built Viper — a wheeled, car-sized vehicle — is set to be disassembled.

NASA may reportedly use the disassembled Viper's components for other missions and will also solicit interest from other parties to use the rover system.

Aero Time

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NASA's committed harakiri by canceling the Viper lunar rover mission to save a mere $84M. It was crucial for locating water ice on the moon, a resource essential for long-term lunar exploration and habitation, and, in the shorter run, the Artemis program. A congressional intervention or partnerships with private firms could save this vital mission.

The Hill

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4794821 Nasa Halts Viper Lunar Rover

The Viper lunar rover mission faced immense financial and logistical challenges, caused by extended pre-flight testing requirements and supply chain issues. Continuing Viper would have bled NASA even more, jeopardizing other key NASA missions. The decision reflects NASA's need to balance goals with budget.

Biden NASA #

Nasa A Viper Project Continues Moon Exploration

There is a 50% chance NASA will next land astronauts on the Moon by March 2029, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus2

Date of next NASA Moon Landing

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NASA's Axing of Moon Rover Project Sparks Anger

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NASA's committed hara-kiri by canceling the Viper lunar rover mission. It was crucial for locating water ice on the moon, a resource essential for long-term lunar exploration and habitation, and, in the shorter run, the Artemis program. A congressional intervention or partnerships with private firms could save this vital project.

The Viper mission faced immense financial and logistical challenges caused by extended pre-flight testing requirements and supply chain issues. Though the space agency is committed to exploring the moon, continuing the project would have jeopardized other vital missions. The decision reflects NASA's need to balance goals with budget.

There's a 50% chance that NASA will next land astronauts on the moon by March 31., 2029, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Scientists Demand NASA Goes Ahead with Viper Moon Mission

Scientists Demand NASA's AxingGoes ofAhead Moonwith RoverViper ProjectMoon Sparks AngerMission

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