NASA is extending an extraordinary opportunity for space enthusiasts to send their names to the Moon aboard the agency's robotic lunar rover, VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover).
VIPER is slated for a mission to the lunar South Pole, where it will delve into the mysteries of the Moon's water, contributing valuable insights to NASA's Artemis program, which aims to land the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface.
Send Your Name with VIPER
The initiative dubbed the "Send Your Name with VIPER" campaign, invites participants to submit their names before March 15, 11:59 p.m. EST. NASA will then compile the names and affix them to the rover, creating a unique connection between Earth and the lunar exploration mission.
To participate, individuals can visit the campaign's website: Send Your Name with VIPER. The site not only facilitates the submission of names but also offers participants the opportunity to create and download a virtual souvenir - a VIPER mission boarding pass featuring their name.
Nicola Fox, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, expressed the significance of the campaign, stating, "With VIPER, we are going to study and explore parts of the Moon's surface no one has ever been to before - and with this campaign, we are inviting the world to be part of that risky yet rewarding journey."
"Just think: Our names will ride along as VIPER navigates across the rugged terrain of the lunar South Pole and gathers valuable data that will help us better understand the history of the Moon and the environment where we plan to send Artemis astronauts."
The initiative follows in the footsteps of other NASA projects that have allowed millions of people to send their names on journeys with various spacecraft, including Artemis I, multiple Mars missions, and the upcoming Europa Clipper mission.
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"Game-Changer"
Described as a "game-changer" by Daniel Andrews, VIPER's project manager at NASA's Ames Research Center, the rover represents the first mission of its kind. It is designed to expand our understanding of potential lunar resources that could sustain a prolonged human presence on the Moon.
The Griffin Mission One by Astrobotic Technologies will transport VIPER to the lunar surface in late 2024, using a SpaceX Falcon Heavy from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
After reaching its destination, VIPER is set to operate for around 100 days, relying on solar panels and batteries to endure the challenging lunar conditions. Equipped with an array of scientific instruments, VIPER will gather data on the properties and concentrations of lunar ice and other potential resources.
NASA's delivery of VIPER is part of the broader Artemis program, specifically under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. The CLPS, in conjunction with human exploration near the lunar South Pole, seeks to establish a consistent schedule of Moon missions in preparation for the eventual journey to Mars.
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