NASA has revived its Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission by awarding Blue Origin a $190 million task order to transport the rover to the Moon's south pole by late 2027. This collaboration utilizes Blue Origin's Blue Moon Mark 1 lander and signifies a strategic shift for NASA, emphasizing the use of private sector capabilities for ambitious exploration goals.
The VIPER rover is designed to explore the Moon's perpetually shadowed regions near the south pole, with the primary objective of identifying and mapping water ice and other volatile resources. These resources are considered crucial for establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon and supporting future deep space missions. The south pole's potential for water ice, which could be used for drinking water, cooling, and producing fuel and oxygen, makes it a prime target for exploration. Additionally, areas with near-continuous sunlight offer potential for solar power generation.
This mission's resurgence follows a challenging period. NASA initially canceled the VIPER mission in July 2024 due to significant budget overruns and delays with its original lander provider, Astrobotic. At that time, the VIPER rover was fully assembled and undergoing final testing. NASA subsequently explored alternative strategies, including a call for partnership proposals in February 2025, to ensure the mission's objectives could still be met.
The new task order with Blue Origin aligns with NASA's broader Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which aims to foster a commercial lunar ecosystem by purchasing end-to-end payload delivery services. Blue Origin's Blue Moon Mark 1 lander, scheduled for its own lunar debut later this year, will also carry NASA's SCALPSS camera system and a retroreflective array on a separate mission. This partnership underscores NASA's commitment to innovative and cost-effective solutions, leveraging industry expertise to enhance the sustainability and affordability of lunar missions.
The development of lunar rovers like VIPER presents unique challenges, including navigating extreme temperature differentials, managing lunar dust, and ensuring radiation protection. The successful deployment and operation of VIPER will demonstrate advancements in rover technology and the collaborative spirit between government agencies and private industry in pushing the boundaries of space exploration.