NASA announced that the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) project will no longer push through after a series of delays and cost increases.
The VIPER was originally scheduled to launch at the end of 2023 but was subsequently moved to September 2025 before it was formally shut down.
NASA Cancels VIPER Project Amid Serious Challenges
In an X post, NASA revealed that the project is now officially discontinued after a comprehensive review. The agency attributed the decision to the increasing cost of the project and the continuous delay to the launch date.
Moreover, NASA admitted that continuing VIPER would result in an increased cost that could affect the cancelation and disruption to other missions. Supply chain delays have continuously pushed further VIPER's readiness for launch and have affected the Commercial Lunar Payload Service (CLPS) along with it.
"The agency has an array of missions planned to look for ice and other resources on the Moon over the next five years," said Nichola Fox, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Washington.
NASA to Reuse VIPER Components for Other Missions
Fox revealed that the agency will maximize the potential of the technology that was used for VIPER. NASA will disassemble and reuse the project's instruments and components for future Moon missions.
The agency will also consider other types of interest from the U.S. industry and international partners by August 1. This would allow others to utilize the VIPER rover system without extra cost to the government.
NASA clarified that it will pursue alternative methods to accomplish some of VIPER's goals. The agency will continue its work that could help verify the presence of ice at the lunar South Pole.
