NASA has never been able to do anything with efficiency.
NASA has decided to cancel the VIPER moon rover project after spending $450 million on its construction. The mission, aimed at finding water on the moon, was deemed too costly to continue. According to NASA, the project faced significant “cost increases, delays to the launch date, and the risks of future cost growth.” These factors threatened to disrupt or cancel other lunar research missions.
Due to budget constraints, NASA canceled its $450 million VIPER moon rover project. The rover, intended to explore the moon’s south pole for ice, was set to launch in 2025.
Do you think it is a good decision?
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The VIPER rover, a car-sized machine designed to explore the moon’s south pole for ice and other resources, has been built but has not undergone necessary tests to ensure it can withstand the harsh conditions of space travel. Canceling the testing and operations is expected to save NASA at least $84 million.
Despite the cancellation of the rover, the spacecraft Griffin Lander, built by Astrobotic Technology Inc., will still proceed to the moon. NASA will pay the company $323 million for the journey. Joel Kearns, NASA’s deputy associate administrator for exploration in the science directorate, emphasized that the Griffin’s landing would still provide valuable data, even without the VIPER rover.
NASA spent $450 million on a moon rover to search for ice near the moon’s south pole. Now, the mission is scrapped. https://t.co/oLmF17bKxx
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NASA reaffirmed its commitment to lunar exploration, stating that several missions are planned to search for ice and other resources on the moon over the next five years. Nicola Fox, an associate administrator in NASA’s science mission directorate, mentioned that the agency welcomes any US or international companies interested in utilizing the VIPER rover before it is disassembled.
NASA Built the Viper Moon Rover for $450 Million. Now It’s Canceling the Mission.
Delays and concerns about NASA’s future budgets doomed the VIPER mission, which aimed to search for ice near the moon’s south pole. pic.twitter.com/0iiDdMbaJT
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This decision comes amidst another challenge for NASA, with two astronauts currently stranded on the International Space Station. Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have been stuck in space after issues were detected with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that transported them. Initially expected to stay for only eight to ten days, the astronauts have now been on the space station for over a month with no return date scheduled.
Key Points:
- NASA has canceled the VIPER moon rover project due to high costs and delays.
- The agency will save $84 million by not testing and operating the rover.
- The Griffin Lander will still proceed to the moon, with NASA paying $323 million to Astrobotic Technology Inc.
- NASA remains committed to lunar exploration with several missions planned over the next five years.
- Two NASA astronauts are currently stranded on the International Space Station due to issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
Susan Guglielmo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
