VIPER targets 2027 lunar south pole landing, rover awards

NASA's VIPER rover is fully built and undergoing final testing ahead of a 2027 launch to the lunar south pole region. It is to be delivered to the lunar surface by a Blue Moon Mark 1 lander. Astrolab and Lunar Outpost received task orders to build Moon Base rovers, while Blue Origin received a task order to deliver LTVs.

VIPER's launch date is 2027, and its launch site is NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The landing site is the lunar south pole region, and the rover is to be delivered to the lunar surface by a Blue Moon Mark 1 lander.

VIPER is fully built and undergoing final testing. Mission operations are at NASA's Ames Research Center.

Astrolab and Lunar Outpost have been awarded task orders to build Moon Base rovers.

LTVs are capable of carrying crew and are listed for delivery to the Moon ahead of crewed Artemis missions. Blue Origin has been awarded a task order to deliver LTVs, and the LTV landing site is the lunar south pole region.

LTVs can be remotely operated from Earth, have Artemis astronauts as the listed crew, and can support up to three moonwalks per Artemis mission. Their daily travel is up to 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) a day.

Additional LTV specifications are up to 176 pounds (80 kilograms) and up to six miles (10 kilometers) on a single battery charge.

A VIPER vehicle specification is given as more than 18 miles (30 kilometers), and CLV-1 is adapted from FLEX architecture.

These facts show hardware and contract activity tied to the lunar south pole and crewed Artemis missions. VIPER is in final testing with a 2027 launch date, while LTVs are specified for crew support and delivery ahead of crewed Artemis missions. Task orders assign Moon Base rover construction to Astrolab and Lunar Outpost and LTV delivery to Blue Origin.

VIPER has a launch date in 2027 and is listed for delivery to the lunar surface by a Blue Moon Mark 1 lander.

LTVs are listed for delivery to the Moon ahead of crewed Artemis missions.