Half-Billion-Dollar Lunar Rover Faces Uncertain Future #

A half-billion-dollar lunar rover project is in jeopardy as NASA cancels its plans to put the rover on the moon due to budgetary concerns. The Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER), designed to search for water ice on the moon’s south pole, could provide crucial resources for future lunar missions. However, commercial space companies and lawmakers are rallying to save the project. Several companies, including Intuitive Machines, have submitted proposals to take over the VIPER program and fund its completion. The future of VIPER remains uncertain, with potential outcomes ranging from congressional intervention to the sale of the rover for parts.