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The Hill
13-04-2025
- Science
- The Hill
Commercial space companies are ready for the next stage of lunar exploration
Recently, some of the players in the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program met with the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, part of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. The witnesses included representatives from NASA administration, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Astrobotic Technology, Intuitive Machines and Firefly Aerospace. Intuitive Machines made a 'partially successful' lunar landing in March after a similar attempt in February 2024. Firefly Aerospace conducted an entirely successful lunar landing also in March 2025. Astrobotic failed its first lunar landing attempt in January 2024. The hearing covered two main topics. The first was what to do with the NASA VIPER lunar rover. The second was a discussion of the possibility of a Commercial Lunar Payload Services 2.0. VIPER, or Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, was planned by NASA to be delivered by an Astrobotic Griffin lander to the moon's south pole. It would trundle across the lunar surface with a drill and a suite of instruments, searching for ice. NASA abruptly canceled the rover in July 2024, citing cost overruns. The VIPER is essentially finished and needs only some more testing before it is sent to the moon. The decision elicited cries of outrage from both the scientific and commercial space communities. Some demanded that the project be revived through a commercial partnership. Intuitive Machines developed a plan to do just that, using one of its planned landers. NASA finally put out some requests for proposals for plans to deliver the VIPER to the moon with a commercial partnership. The space agency stated that it will respond sometime in the summer of 2025. Members of the subcommittee expressed exasperation with NASA's decision to cancel VIPER, according to Space News. Nicola Fox, the associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, defended the decision, stating that moving forward with the lunar rover would have adversely affected the funding of several future Commercial Lunar Payload Services missions. Brett W. Denevi, the principal staff scientist at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, expressed skepticism about the commercial partnership approach. 'We should not expect VIPER science to happen by hoping that someone will offer to fly and operate it on their own dime,' he said. He stated that Congress must come up with the extra money lest China become the first country to prospect for water ice on the moon. On the subject of Commercial Lunar Payload Services and its future, the three representatives of the commercial lunar lander companies were filled with praise for the program and would like more of the same. The current program lasts through 2028. A Commercial Lunar Payload Services 2.0 would continue and expand the program that has NASA helping to finance commercial moon landings. Steve Altemus, president and CEO of Intuitive Machines, suggested that Commercial Lunar Payload Services 2.0. would start delivering 'infrastructure' to the lunar surface. Infrastructure means habitats, rovers, power sources and everything else that would support the long-term exploration and development of the moon. By 2028, if NASA's plans hold up, the Artemis III mission should have already taken place. A Human Landing System derived from the SpaceX Starship will have delivered two astronauts and their equipment to the lunar surface. With the Starship human landing systems' ability to carry 100 to 150 metric tons to the moon, the first two moonwalkers since 1972 will have a lot of stuff coming with them. The advent of the Starship human landing system could provide a lot of opportunities for commercial companies. It could be that Artemis III will leave behind robots provided by commercial companies to continue the work of the next moonwalkers when they leave the lunar surface. The opportunity presented by the Starship human landing system depends on NASA following through with the Artemis return to the moon program and not pursuing the pivot to Mars that Elon Musk advocates. The moon is an opportunity for science, economic development and political soft power (i.e., beating China.) Fortunately, Jared Isaacman, the billionaire entrepreneur who Trump nominated to be NASA administrator, has expressed his full support for a return to the moon before the end of the current presidential term. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee that oversees NASA, agreed on X, stating, 'The moon mission MUST happen in President Trump's term or else China will beat us there and build the first moonbase.' Isaacman also noted during testimony at his confirmation hearings that while Mars is a priority, 'Along the way, we will inevitably have the capabilities to return to the Moon and determine the scientific, economic, and national security benefits of maintaining a presence on the lunar surface.' Commercial Lunar Payload Services companies can play a continuing role in the opening of the lunar frontier. Mark R. Whittington, who writes frequently about space policy, has published a political study of space exploration entitled ' Why is It So Hard to Go Back to the Moon? ' as well as ' The Moon, Mars and Beyond,' and, most recently, ' Why is America Going Back to the Moon? ' He blogs at Curmudgeons Corner.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Opinion - The VIPER moon rover's commercial revival signals a new era
Last year, NASA canceled the VIPER ('Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover') in a move that scandalized proponents of a return to the moon. The space agency was just $84 million short of completing the mission when it pulled the plug. VIPER had been slated to go to the moon on board an Astrobotic Griffin lander. Then, the space agency asked for ideas from the private sector for delivering the water-hunting robot to the lunar surface commercially. A Texas company called Intuitive Machines offered a detailed plan. Now, with a change of presidents and a new, reformist NASA administrator nominated and about to go through the confirmation process, the space agency has reiterated its desire to save the VIPER with a commercial partnership. It is requesting more comprehensive plans to fly VIPER to the moon with a deadline of Feb. 20. NASA will make a final decision in the summer. The selected company would be required to accept VIPER as is and not dismantle the rover and incorporate its instruments into another vehicle. It would bear the cost of transporting it to the lunar surface and operating it. VIPER's mission is to trundle about the lunar south pole searching for signs of water. Scientists have known for decades the water ice resides in the permanently shadowed craters of the lunar poles, deposited over billions of years of comet impacts. VIPER should be able to pinpoint where the ice is located and in what amounts. No mention as yet has been made about when VIPER might go to the moon. The Intuitive Machines proposal suggests that the rover would go on an in-development Nova-D lander that would be ready in 2027. That is also the year NASA plans to land the first people on the moon in 55 years as part of the Artemis III mission. The fact that NASA is going ahead with VIPER and is trying to arrange for a commercial partner for the lunar rover has broader implications for American space policy as the new Trump administration puts its own stamp on future space exploration. Of all the resources that can be found on the moon, water is the most important. It can be chemically split into oxygen and hydrogen and made into rocket fuel. Water can also be used to drink and in agriculture. However, lunar water is not important unless people are going to the moon to live and work there. Recent statements by President Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk hinted that the U.S. might bypass the moon and send astronauts directly to Mars. If Americans are not returning to the moon to establish a base, VIPER would be unnecessary. Since VIPER is going to the moon, it logically follows that the moon is still on for America's exploration plans. Another hint that we're still going back to the moon was tucked into a White House statement during a visit by the Japanese prime minister. 'The United States and Japan intend to continue their strong partnership in civil space and on aeronautics, science and human exploration, including on the upcoming Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station that includes U.S. and Japanese astronauts as well as lunar surface exploration on future Artemis missions.' Even so, it would be a good idea for someone, from the White House or NASA, to specifically state that America is not going to yield the moon to the Chinese. Such a statement would remove a lot of doubt and uncertainty. Astrobotic has moved on from the VIPER fiasco. The company recently announced that instead of VIPER it will deliver the FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform rover to the south pole of the moon as early as the end of 2025. A company called Venturi Astrolab built that rover, which is about the same size and mass as VIPER. Neither company has revealed the terms of the agreement. Astrobotic famously attempted to send its Peregrine lander to the moon a year ago, an endeavor that ultimately failed. The story of VIPER, with its twists and turns, proves the wisdom of NASA's turn to the commercial sector for partnerships that started during the George W. Bush administration. Under the old way of doing things, NASA had to ask Congress for more money or it would be out of luck. Now commercial companies will not only have saved VIPER but will have added a new robotic lunar explorer. Mark R. Whittington is the author of 'Why is It So Hard to Go Back to the Moon?' as well as 'The Moon, Mars and Beyond,' and, most recently, 'Why is America Going Back to the Moon?' He blogs at Curmudgeons Corner. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
16-02-2025
- Business
- The Hill
The VIPER moon rover's commercial revival signals a new era
Last year, NASA canceled the VIPER ('Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover') in a move that scandalized proponents of a return to the moon. The space agency was just $84 million short of completing the mission when it pulled the plug. VIPER had been slated to go to the moon on board an Astrobotic Griffin lander. Then, the space agency asked for ideas from the private sector for delivering the water-hunting robot to the lunar surface commercially. A Texas company called Intuitive Machines offered a detailed plan. Now, with a change of presidents and a new, reformist NASA administrator nominated and about to go through the confirmation process, the space agency has reiterated its desire to save the VIPER with a commercial partnership. It is requesting more comprehensive plans to fly VIPER to the moon with a deadline of Feb. 20. NASA will make a final decision in the summer. The selected company would be required to accept VIPER as is and not dismantle the rover and incorporate its instruments into another vehicle. It would bear the cost of transporting it to the lunar surface and operating it. VIPER's mission is to trundle about the lunar south pole searching for signs of water. Scientists have known for decades the water ice resides in the permanently shadowed craters of the lunar poles, deposited over billions of years of comet impacts. VIPER should be able to pinpoint where the ice is located and in what amounts. No mention as yet has been made about when VIPER might go to the moon. The Intuitive Machines proposal suggests that the rover would go on an in-development Nova-D lander that would be ready in 2027. That is also the year NASA plans to land the first people on the moon in 55 years as part of the Artemis III mission. The fact that NASA is going ahead with VIPER and is trying to arrange for a commercial partner for the lunar rover has broader implications for American space policy as the new Trump administration puts its own stamp on future space exploration. Of all the resources that can be found on the moon, water is the most important. It can be chemically split into oxygen and hydrogen and made into rocket fuel. Water can also be used to drink and in agriculture. However, lunar water is not important unless people are going to the moon to live and work there. Recent statements by President Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk hinted that the U.S. might bypass the moon and send astronauts directly to Mars. If Americans are not returning to the moon to establish a base, VIPER would be unnecessary. Since VIPER is going to the moon, it logically follows that the moon is still on for America's exploration plans. Another hint that we're still going back to the moon was tucked into a White House statement during a visit by the Japanese prime minister. 'The United States and Japan intend to continue their strong partnership in civil space and on aeronautics, science and human exploration, including on the upcoming Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station that includes U.S. and Japanese astronauts as well as lunar surface exploration on future Artemis missions.' Even so, it would be a good idea for someone, from the White House or NASA, to specifically state that America is not going to yield the moon to the Chinese. Such a statement would remove a lot of doubt and uncertainty. Astrobotic has moved on from the VIPER fiasco. The company recently announced that instead of VIPER it will deliver the FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform rover to the south pole of the moon as early as the end of 2025. A company called Venturi Astrolab built that rover, which is about the same size and mass as VIPER. Neither company has revealed the terms of the agreement. Astrobotic famously attempted to send its Peregrine lander to the moon a year ago, an endeavor that ultimately failed. The story of VIPER, with its twists and turns, proves the wisdom of NASA's turn to the commercial sector for partnerships that started during the George W. Bush administration. Under the old way of doing things, NASA had to ask Congress for more money or it would be out of luck. Now commercial companies will not only have saved VIPER but will have added a new robotic lunar explorer. Mark R. Whittington is the author of 'Why is It So Hard to Go Back to the Moon?' as well as 'The Moon, Mars and Beyond,' and, most recently, 'Why is America Going Back to the Moon?' He blogs at Curmudgeons Corner.
