NASA is now gearing up preparations for its first mobile robotic mission to the Moon. This is the VIPER mission, which is scheduled to be launched around this time in 2024. In recent developments, the Project Manager of VIPER, Dan Andrews shared some major updates regarding the upcoming VIPER mission.
According to VIPER’s Project Manager, the VIPER Flight Rover is already half-built. Recently, the VIPER Systems Integration & Test team has received all the payloads from the science instrument teams. These will be installed into the actual flight rover. One such payload is already installed, and completed in the summer of this year.
The Project Manager also asserted that they have received delivery of most of the major hardware pieces. These developments mark a significant phase of progress in the creation of a fully functioning rover. You can find out more about what the Project Manager shared about the upcoming VIPER mission here.
The VIPER mission’s landing site would be the Nobile Region of Moon’s South People. The VIPER mission would range over 100 Earth days, during which it will cover 3 cycles of lunar day and night.
VIPER mission will make an effort to analyse ice on the lunar surface and subsurface at various depths and temperature conditions. With the data that VIPER would be sharing back to EARTH, researchers will try to create resource maps. These maps will further help scientists in determining the location and concentration of ice on the Moon. You can learn more about the VIPER mission here.
