Can private companies carry NASA back to the Moon?
VergeJAN 2024
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.
There's a 50% chance that NASA will next land astronauts on the moon by March 31., 2029, according to the Metaculus prediction community.