Astrobotic Technology: Griffin's Innovative Mission Update

Astrobotic Technology Robotic Lunar Rover Mission Cancellation

NASA recently announced the cancellation of a robotic lunar rover mission that was set to explore the south pole of the moon . The mission , known as the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover ( VIPER ) , had an estimated cost of 00 million . The rover , about the size of a small car , was built to search for water ice in the shadows near the moon 's south pole . However , due to development delays and cost overruns , NASA decided to disassemble VIPER and replace it with a nonfunctional mass simulator.

The cancellation of the VIPER mission came after the costs had grown by more than 30 % , reaching an estimated 09.6 million . Joel Kearns , the deputy associate administrator for exploration in NASAs Science Mission Directorate , stated that the delays were caused by a series of supply chain issues that resulted in incremental delays in the construction of the rover.

Despite the cancellation of VIPER , NASA plans to reuse its instruments and components . The agency will consider proposals from American companies and international partners to fly VIPER independently at no cost to the government . Additionally , NASA will retain the task order for Griffin , the lander developed by Astrobotic Technology , which was supposed to deliver VIPER to the moon.

Griffin 's Revised Mission and Future Plans

With the cancellation of VIPER , Griffin 's mission will now become a technology demonstrator to test its ability to land large payloads . Astrobotic Technology , the company behind Griffin , is considering flying a test of its LunaGrid power generation service on the lander . Despite the setbacks , both NASA and Astrobotic remain optimistic about the future of lunar exploration.

The decision to cancel the VIPER mission has been a blow to Astrobotic , which has faced challenges in previous lunar missions . However , the company is determined to move forward and is exploring new opportunities for commercial payloads on Griffin . Despite the setbacks , both NASA and Astrobotic are confident in Griffin 's ability to successfully land on the moon and continue their mission of lunar exploration.

In conclusion , while the cancellation of the VIPER mission may have been a setback , it has paved the way for new opportunities in lunar exploration . NASA and Astrobotic remain committed to advancing technology and exploring the moon 's surface , and the future looks promising for upcoming missions and discoveries in space exploration.