NASA's VIPER rover, long considered a "dead" project, has been revived. The Volatiles Investigating Polar Explorer Rover will reach the lunar surface with the help of Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin company in late 2027.
NASA's official statement notes: "NASA is exploring the Moon on an unprecedented scale. This delivery is one of many steps we are taking to combine the capabilities of the U.S. private sector to establish a long-term American presence on the Moon."
VIPER is a key part of the Artemis program, which aims to create a sustainable human presence on and around the Moon by 2030. The mission is focused on the South Pole, where scientists believe a large amount of ice is located. The ice could become not only a source of life, but also be broken down into hydrogen and oxygen for use as fuel.
