NASA has awarded Blue Origin the contract to deliver the VIPER rover to the moon’s south polar region. This ambitious project, overseen through NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, aims to utilize Blue Origin’s innovative Blue Moon MK1 cargo lander for the late 2027 deployment of the rover.
The VIPER rover, short for Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, is designed to explore permanently shadowed regions near the moon’s south pole, searching for valuable resources such as water ice. This ice could be a crucial source of drinking water, breathable oxygen, and even rocket fuel – vital elements for supporting future long-term human missions to the moon.
Previously, the mission was slated to utilize Astrobotic’s Griffin lander, but due to evolving costs and scheduling challenges, NASA initiated a review of alternative approaches. Blue Origin’s selection represents a significant step forward in NASA’s strategy to leverage private industry for lunar exploration.
Blue Origin’s responsibilities under the $190 million task order include designing the necessary accommodations for the VIPER rover and demonstrating the successful offloading of the rover to the lunar surface. NASA will remain responsible for the rover’s operations and overall science planning. This project is a key component of NASA’s broader efforts to establish a sustained American presence on the moon.