NASA Chooses Blue Origin To Take VIPER Explorers To The Moon's South Pole

Illustration of VIPER rides in space (photo: dock. NASA)

JAKARTA NASA chose Blue Origin to send a rover to the South Pole of the Moon as part of the Artemis program. The ride to launch is VIPER.

VIPER, abbreviation to Volales Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, will look for ice and other important resources while on the Moon. The rover is designed to support human exploration in the future.

The project under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program is worth 190 million US dollars (Rp 3.1 trillion). This is the delivery of the second month's ride given to Blue Origin. The first shipment is scheduled for the end of this year.

With the handover of this latest contract, Blue Origin will send VIPERS at the end of 2027. They will use the second Blue Moon MK1 lander which is currently being produced.

NASA Acting Administrator Sean Total said that this mission utilizes the US industry to build a long-term presence on the Moon's surface. This rover will provide important insights to support human survival in space.

Although NASA previously canceled the VIPER project, they are now exploring an alternative approach that is more cost-effective. This was confirmed by Association Administrator, NASA's Science Mission Directorate Nicky Fox. He believes that Blue Origin's contribution will also assist them in leading the space sector.

The CS-7 task orders received by Blue Origin will include designing special payload accommodation. The contract also has the option to safely deliver and deploy the rover. This will reduce costs and technical risks for NASA.

Blue Origin is fully responsible for the overall architecture of landing missions. They will carry out design, analysis and testing of lander rides. Meanwhile, NASA will operate the rover and plan its scientific activities.