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NASA plans late-2027 lunar south pole arrival for VIPER
NASA says VIPER has been assembled at Johnson Space Center and is undergoing final testing ahead of a planned arrival at the lunar south pole in late 2027. The rover will search for and map water ice and other volatile resources. Lunar terrain vehicles are targeted for delivery in 2028, with Blue Origin providing lunar transport.
What to know
- 01
VIPER is planned to travel aboard Blue Origin’s second Blue Moon MK1 lunar lander and investigate resources in permanently shadowed craters.
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Astrolab and Lunar Outpost were selected for initial LTV development; the vehicles can be operated remotely from Earth to map terrain and gather environmental data before astronauts arrive.
Why it matters
These missions are intended to inform assessments of lunar resource use and support long-term surface activities and early lunar base development.
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