NASA has awarded Blue Origin a contract with a potential value of $190 million to deliver the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) to the Moon's South Pole. The mission, scheduled for late 2027, is a key component of the agency's Artemis program and aims to map water ice resources in preparation for future human exploration.
Key Takeaways
- Contract Award: Blue Origin received a NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) task order worth up to $190 million.
- Mission Objective: Deliver the VIPER rover to the lunar South Pole to search for water ice and other volatile resources.
- Timeline: The landing is targeted for late 2027 to align with the rover's 100-day science mission window.
- Significance: Data collected by VIPER will help identify potential resources and inform landing sites for future Artemis astronaut missions.
NASA Taps Blue Origin for Key Artemis Mission
NASA has tasked Blue Origin, a commercial spaceflight company based in Kent, Washington, with a critical delivery to the lunar surface. The agreement falls under NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, which leverages private industry to transport science and technology payloads to the Moon.
This award marks the second CLPS task order for Blue Origin. The company is already preparing for its first delivery later this year, which will use its Blue Moon Mark 1 (MK1) robotic lander to carry other NASA payloads to the lunar South Pole region.
"Our rover will explore the extreme environment of the lunar South Pole, traveling to small, permanently shadowed regions to help inform future landing sites for our astronauts and better understand the Moon’s environment," said acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy.
The Artemis Program
The VIPER mission is an integral part of NASA's Artemis campaign. The broader goal of Artemis is to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon, which will serve as a stepping stone for future missions to Mars. Finding and utilizing local resources, such as water ice, is essential for long-term sustainability.
VIPER's 100-Day Search at the South Pole
The VIPER rover is designed for a 100-day mission to explore the Moon's South Pole, a region of high scientific interest. Scientists believe that permanently shadowed craters in this area could contain significant deposits of water ice, a resource that has been frozen for billions of years.
Identifying the location and concentration of this ice is a primary objective. Such a discovery would have profound implications for future exploration, as water can be broken down into hydrogen and oxygen to produce breathable air and rocket propellant.
"This delivery could show us where ice is most likely to be found and easiest to access, as a future resource for humans," stated Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration at NASA Headquarters.
The data from VIPER will help create the first resource maps of the Moon, guiding NASA in planning the logistics for a sustained human presence on the lunar surface.
The Blue Moon Lander and Mission Logistics
Blue Origin will use a second, newly produced Blue Moon MK1 lander for the VIPER delivery. The company is responsible for the complete end-to-end mission, which includes integrating the rover onto the lander, managing the launch and transit to the Moon, and executing a safe landing.
After landing, Blue Origin will also manage the deployment of the rover onto the lunar surface. Once VIPER is mobile, NASA will take over operations, conducting the scientific investigations from Earth.
Phased Contract Approach
The task order, designated CS-7, is structured to reduce risk and cost for NASA. The initial base award covers the design of the lander's accommodations for the rover. An option to proceed with the full delivery will be exercised by NASA only after reviewing Blue Origin's design work and the performance of its first MK1 lander mission.
This two-step approach allows NASA to verify the capabilities of the commercial lander before committing to the full $190 million contract value. Blue Origin will handle the design, analysis, and testing of the large lander required for the mission.
A Renewed Focus on Lunar Resources
The VIPER mission represents a renewed agency focus on mapping off-planet resources. The project was previously canceled, but NASA has since pursued more cost-effective strategies to achieve its scientific goals by partnering with the private sector.
Key Responsibilities
- Blue Origin: Responsible for the lander, launch, landing, and rover deployment. This includes all design, testing, and mission planning.
- NASA: Manages the rover's science mission and operations after it has been deployed on the Moon.
"We’ve been looking for creative, cost-effective approaches to accomplish these exploration goals," said Nicky Fox, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate. "This private sector-developed landing capability enables this delivery and focuses our investments accordingly."
Development of the VIPER rover itself is led by NASA’s Ames Research Center in California, with engineering support provided by NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The CLPS initiative continues to foster a growing commercial lunar economy, supporting American leadership in space exploration.