Can private companies carry NASA back to the Moon?
VergeJAN 2024
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.
Last month, NASA announced canceling the robotic Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rove (Viper) mission, citing delays to the launch date and cost overruns.
However, astronomers and astrophysicists worldwide claim the mission's cancelation "undermines Nasa's entire lunar exploration programme for the next decade."
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 studying and exploring the moon, continuing the project would have bledjeopardized NASA, jeopardizing other keyvital missions. The decision reflects NASA's need to balance goals with budget.