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News

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Changes Ahead of September Launch

Portraits of NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. (Credit: NASA) Editor’s note: This release was updated twice on Aug. 30, 2024. First, to correct Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov’s role as a mission specialist. It was updated again to correct a launch date.   NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will launch no earlier than Tuesday, Sept. 24, on the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station. NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, previously announced as crewmates, are eligible for reassignment on a future mission.    Hague and Gorbunov will fly to the space station as commander and mission specialist, respectively, as part of a two-crew member flight aboard a SpaceX Dragon.   The updated crew complement follows NASA’s decision to return the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test uncrewed and launch Crew-9 with two unoccupied seats. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who launched aboard the Starliner spacecraft in June, will fly home with Hague and Gorbunov in February 2025.   The decision to fly Hague was made by NASA chief astronaut Joe Acaba at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Acaba had to balance flying a NASA crew member with previous spaceflight experience to command the flight, while ensuring NASA maintains an integrated crew with a Roscosmos cosmonaut who can operate their critical systems for continued, safe station operations.   “While we’ve changed crew before for a variety of reasons, downsizing crew for this flight was another tough decision to adjust to given that the crew has trained as a crew of four,” said Acaba. “I have the utmost confidence in all our crew, who have been excellent throughout training for the mission. Zena and Stephanie will continue to assist their crewmates ahead of launch, and they exemplify what it means to be a professional astronaut.”    The agency will share reassignment details for Cardman and Wilson when available.   “I am deeply proud of our entire crew,” said Cardman, “and I am confident Nick and Alex will step into their roles with excellence. All four of us remain dedicated to the success of this mission, and Stephanie and I look forward to flying when the time is right.   ” Wilson added, “I know Nick and Alex will do a great job with their work aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 72.”   With 203 days logged in space, this will be Hague’s third launch and second mission to the orbiting laboratory. During his first launch in October 2018, Hague and his crewmate, Roscosmos’ Alexey Ovchinin, experienced a rocket booster failure, resulting in an in-flight, post-launch abort, ballistic re-entry, and safe landing in their Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft. Five months later, Hague launched aboard Soyuz MS-12 and served as a flight engineer aboard the space station during Expeditions 59 and 60. Hague conducted three spacewalks to upgrade space station power systems and install a docking adapter for commercial spacecraft. An active-duty colonel in the U.S. Space Force, Hague completed a developmental rotation at the Defense Department, and served as the Space Force’s director of test and evaluation from 2020 to 2022. In August 2022, Hague resumed duties at NASA, working on the Boeing Starliner Program until this flight assignment. Follow @astrohague on X and Instagram.   This will be Gorbunov’s first trip to space and the station. Born in Zheleznogorsk, Kursk region, Russia, he studied engineering with qualifications in spacecraft and upper stages from the Moscow Aviation Institute. Gorbunov graduated from the military department with a specialty in operating and repairing aircraft, helicopters, and aircraft engines. Before his selection as a cosmonaut in 2018, he worked as an engineer for Rocket Space Corp. Energia and supported cargo spacecraft launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.   Hague and Gorbonov will become members of the Expedition 72 crew aboard the station. They will join Wilmore, Williams, fellow NASA astronaut Don Pettit, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner conducting scientific research and maintenance activities into the station’s 24th year of continuous human presence.   Learn more about International Space Station research and operations at: https://www.nasa.gov/station -end-   Josh Finch / Jimi RussellHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1100joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov / james.j.russell@nasa.gov  Courtney BeasleyJohnson Space Center, Houston281-483-5111courtney.m.beasley@nasa.gov

Competition News

Drone Odyssey 2024: Thrilling Drone Competition Draws Global Attention

Drone Odyssey Challenge is an exciting game-based competition that promises plenty of fun! It inculcates technical skill sets, critical thinking, and an appreciation of new and disruptive technologies relevant to the modern world. Open to students from the Primary and Secondary levels, this competition will see participants working together in teams to code their programmable drones to transform them into Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) capable of performing tasks under given scenarios. Drone Odyssey Challenge is organised by Science Centre Singapore, EP Tec Solutions PTE LTD and Association of Drone Soccer Singapore (ADSS), with support from the Ministry of Education (MOE) and various partners. The theme of this year’s Drone Odyssey is “Drones for Good” with a focus on utilising drones to address future challenges and promote technology for positive impact. Participants can gain insights into the significant role of drones in addressing challenges through this year’s DOC. The Drone Odyssey Challenge 2024, held from July 16 to 18, 2024, by Science Centre Singapore,   CATEGORY A1 – OBSTACLE CHALLENGE Champion Award: FUHUA PRIMARY SCHOOL (Teams FUHUA 1 & FUHUA 3) Category A2 – Obstacle Challenge Champion Award: PRIVATE (BURNING BUSH), PIONEER PRIMARY SCHOOL (TEAM 1 & TEAM 2) Category B1 – Obstacle Challenge Champion Award: PIERCE SECONDARY SCHOOL (GROUP 1 & GROUP 3), EDGEFIELD SECONDARY SCHOOL (TEAM 4) Category B2 – Obstacle Challenge Champion Award: DRONE SOCCER ASSOCIATION THAILAND (Skyward), VICTORIA SCHOOL (Vsifc 7 & Vsifc 12) Category C1 – Swarming Challenge Champion Award: SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC (SP EEE), CHANGKAT CHANGI SECONDARY SCHOOL (D.A.R.K & RED BULL) Category D – AI Visual Sensing Challenge Champion Award: SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC (SP EEE), ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOL (INDEPENDENT) (TEAM), NUS HIGH SCHOOL OF MATH AND SCIENCE (TEAM PD) Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to everyone who participated! For more information about the competition and the latest updates, please visit the Science Centre Singapore website and follow their social media channels.

Competition News

Drone Soccer Takes Flight in Hong Kong: Dragon Cup 2024 Announced

Hong Kong is set to host an exciting new sporting event that combines cutting-edge technology with athletic competition. The Drone Soccer Hong Kong Dragon Cup 2024 will take place on October 12, 2024, at the Kai Tak Community Hall, celebrating the 75th anniversary of China’s National Day. This innovative tournament features teams piloting drones in a soccer-like competition. The event will include 3 vs 3 challenges and time attack contests across multiple classes (F9A, F9A-B, F9A-C). Running from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, the Dragon Cup welcomes both local and international teams to participate in friendly matches and compete for the challenge cup. Notably, the Hong Kong Dragon Cup 2024 serves as a qualifier for the 2025 ADSL World Cup, offering teams a chance to advance to the global stage. The competition is organized with support from several government departments, including the Home Affairs Department. “We’re thrilled to bring drone soccer to Hong Kong,” said Sky Yeung, a representative for the event. “This tournament not only showcases technological innovation but also promotes sportsmanship and international cooperation.” Interested teams and spectators can find more information or register for the event by contacting Sky Yeung at 852 53993993 or visiting www.dntfpv.com. The Drone Soccer Hong Kong Dragon Cup 2024 promises to be an exhilarating blend of sport and technology, offering a unique experience for participants and viewers alike. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the future of competitive robotics in action!

Competition News

Asia’s Premier Flight Simulator Competition Takes Off This October

The Space Challenge Asia is proud to announce the Asian Award Competition featuring Microsoft Flight Simulator, taking place on October 5-6, 2024. This cutting-edge event invites aviation enthusiasts from across the continent to showcase their piloting skills in a high-stakes virtual environment. Participants will face a series of challenging tasks designed to test their mettle in the cockpit. From executing precise aerial maneuvers to landing in adverse weather conditions, competitors will need to demonstrate exceptional aircraft control to come out on top. Key highlights of the competition include: 1. Realistic simulated scenarios that push pilots to their limits2. Diverse weather conditions to navigate, enhancing decision-making skills3. Inclusive participation, welcoming contestants from elementary school age to adults4. Opportunities to develop and showcase precise aircraft control5. Expert evaluation of piloting abilities6. Training in managing in-flight emergencies This event is not just a competition, but a unique learning experience for all participants. Whether you’re a seasoned simulator pilot or a curious newcomer, the Asian Award Competition offers something for everyone. Don’t miss this chance to be part of Asia’s most exciting flight simulation event of the year. Scan the QR code in the event poster to register now and prepare for takeoff at the Space Challenge Asia 2024! For more information, visit spacechallenge.asia/flightsimulator/ Join us in celebrating the future of aviation and space exploration right here in Asia!

News

Carving Canyons

Erosion, tectonic uplift, and a human-built dam have all helped shape the Upper Lake Powell area in Utah. This astronaut photograph was acquired on July 28, 2023, with a Nikon D5 digital camera using a focal length of 1,150 millimeters. It is provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Johnson Space Center. The image has been cropped and enhanced to improve contrast, and lens artifacts have been removed. The International Space Station Program supports the laboratory as part of the International Space Station National Lab to help astronauts take pictures of Earth that will be of the greatest value to scientists and the public, and to make those images freely available on the Internet. Additional images taken by astronauts and cosmonauts can be viewed at the NASA/JSC Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth. NASA

News

NASA to Provide Crew Flight Test, Space Station Missions Update

NASA to Provide Crew Flight Test, Space Station Missions Update The International Space Station was pictured flying 263 miles above the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Credit: NASA NASA will host a media teleconference at 12:30 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, Aug. 7, to discuss ongoing International Space Station operations, including the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test and NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission.   Audio of the briefing will stream live on NASA’s website. Agency participants include: Ken Bowersox, associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program Dana Weigel, manager, International Space Station Program To ask questions during the teleconference, media must RSVP no later than two hours prior to the start of the call to Jimi Russell at: james.j.russell@nasa.gov. NASA’s media accreditation policy is available online. For more than two decades, people have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing scientific knowledge, demonstrating new technologies, and making research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. The station is a critical testbed for NASA to understand and overcome the challenges of long-duration spaceflight and to expand commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit. As commercial companies focus on providing human space transportation services and destinations as part of a robust low Earth orbit economy, NASA’s Artemis campaign is underway at the Moon, where the agency is preparing for future human exploration of Mars. For more information about the International Space Station, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station -end- Josh Finch / Jimi RussellHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1100joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov / james.j.russell@nasa.gov

NASA Space Apps News

Join the 2023 NASA International Space Apps Challenge!

Registration for the 2023 NASA International Space Apps Challenge—a global hackathon for coders and creatives, scientists and storytellers—is now open. The theme for this year’s event is “Explore Open Science Together,” and as participants will discover, the hackathon’s 30 challenges invite people from around the globe to come together and use the free and open data from NASA and its Space Agency Partners to solve the real-world challenges on Earth and in space. The NASA Space Apps Challenge starts on October 7 at 9:00 a.m. (local time) and ends on October 8 at 11:59 p.m. (local time), when project submissions are due. However, many Space Apps activities start before October 7. Once participants register for a Space Apps account and sign-up for a Local Event (or the Universal Event), they can begin checking their dashboard for important messages from the Space Apps Global Organizing Team about their hackathon journey. By participating in the Space Apps Challenge, team members learn about NASA’s data holdings and share in the creation and application of the knowledge that results from their efforts. This annual global hackathon encourages collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, and leverages participants’ interest in space to foster the next generation of scientists, technologists, designers, science communicators, engineers, and global citizens. Launched in collaboration with NASA’s Transform to Open Science (TOPS) initiative, this year’s theme acknowledges 2023 as A Year of Open Science, as declared by NASA, the White House, and other federal agencies. The challenges comprising this year’s event are designed to broaden participation in science, increase accessibility to the free and open data available from NASA and its international partners, and encourage the use of new technologies that can help us respond to a variety of scientific questions. Some of this year’s challenges were developed in collaboration with NASA’s Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program and utilize open data available through NASA’s Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS). Among this year’s challenges are: A Marketplace for Open Science Projects, which challenges participants to create a solution that will help people who are looking for open-source projects to work on and project creators who need skilled contributors to find each other and communicate. Be a Space Geologist, which invites Space Apps Challenge teams to create an app that enables geologists to use NASA’s Earth observation data to conduct research. EMIT for the Future, which asks Space Apps Challenge teams to develop an app that can help raise community awareness of what NASA’s Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) mission is, how EMIT’s imaging spectrometer can be used, and what has already been accomplished with its mission data. GeoAI Reimagined: Transformative and Diverse Earth Science Applications Using Foundation Models, which challenges teams to develop an accurate and efficient artificial intelligence (AI) model (or models) for a range of critical geospatial applications, such as disaster recovery operations, environmental change monitoring (e.g., greenhouse gas detection and monitoring), geospatial data discovery, and more. International Space Station Earth-Observing Data VISION-aries Wanted, which tasks participants with expanding the functionality of an open-source web-based tool called VISIONS—Visible to ShortWave InfraRed Imaging Spectroscopy Interface for Open Science—to include more remote sensing platforms or enhanced features. Open Science Storytelling, which challenges teams to tell an open science success story in a creative way using any form of storytelling—from singing to poetry to dance to puppetry to acrobatics and beyond! NASA TOPS is also offering NASA Space Apps Challenge participants the opportunity to pre-enroll in their Open Science 101 training. This in-person or online training is designed to help scientists, researchers, and citizen scientists foster an open-science environment. Through five learning modules, Open Science 101 covers how to discover and access quality online resources, how to successfully communicate scientific findings, and how to format science in a way that others can incorporate into their research. Since its inception in 2012, NASA’s Space Apps Challenge has engaged more than 220,000 people from more than 185 countries and territories. In 2023, NASA is joined by more than a dozen international Space Agency Partners, including the Australian Space Agency, Brazilian Space Agency, CSA (Canadian Space Agency), ESA (European Space Agency), ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization), Italian Space Agency, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), Mexican Space Agency, National Space Activities Commission of Argentina, National Space Science Agency of Bahrain, Paraguayan Space Agency, South African National Space Agency, and the Turkish Space Agency. This participation from NASA’s space agency partners around the world encourages more extensive global collaboration and provides a broader platform for participants to contribute to the fields of Earth and space science and technology through the NASA Space Apps Challenge. After the hackathon, project submissions will be judged by space agency experts and leaders to help select the NASA Space Apps winners. The final Global Winners will be selected to win one of 10 Global Awards in several categories, including Best Use of Science, Best Use of Data, Best Use of Technology, Most Inspirational, Best Storytelling, and more. The NASA Space Apps Challenge is funded by NASA’s Earth Science Division through a contract with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub, and SecondMuse. Learn More and Register For more information and to register for an in-person or virtual event, visit the 2023 NASA International Space Apps Challenge website at spaceappschallenge.org.

NASA Space Apps News

2023 NASA International Space Apps Challenge Announces 10 Global Winners

Ten teams from around the world have been named the Global Winners of the 2023 NASA International Space Apps Challenge. The Challenge is the largest annual global hackathon, and gives participants the opportunity to engage with real world problems we face on Earth and in space.   The 2023 NASA Space Apps Challenge welcomed 57,999 registered participants, including space, science, technology, and storytelling enthusiasts of all ages. Participants came together from 152 countries and territories to celebrate a Year of Open Science with the theme of “Explore Open Science Together” in collaboration with NASA’s Transform to Open Science (TOPS). Teams used NASA and Space Agency Partner free and open data to address challenges written by NASA Subject Matter Experts. Challenges ranged in topic from climate change to biodiversity, space exploration, and data visualization.   The 2023 Global Winners represent the highest rated projects out of 5,556 submissions, as determined by subject matter experts from NASA and 13 Space Agency Partners.   “The NASA International Space Apps Challenge is the perfect example of global cooperation – uniting the next generation of innovators across 152 countries this year into a community that contributes to NASA’s mission for the benefit of all,” said Nicola Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Lowering the boundaries of science through the NASA Space Apps Challenge is paramount for inspiring the next generation – the Artemis Generation – so that they can solve today’s problems on Earth and in space for tomorrow’s future. Congratulations to the 2023 Global Winners of the NASA Space Apps Challenge.”   In this year’s live Global Winners announcement, former NASA astronaut Dr. Cady Coleman praised the innovation and collaboration of the NASA Space Apps community and the Global Winners. “Participants’ innovative solutions using NASA and Space Agency Partner open data and their commitment to global collaboration are paving the way for a more inclusive scientific community for the next generation of scientists, technologists, designers, and storytellers,” said Coleman. “Their projects show the power of what we can accomplish with open science and knowledge sharing.”   The ten 2023 NASA Space Apps Challenge Global Winners are:   Best Use of Science Award: LunarTech Ensemble Challenge: Make a Moonquake Map 2.0! Country/Territory: Egypt This team developed a website and immersive game to help people understand and visualize the lunar seismic data gathered by instruments left behind during NASA’s Apollo missions. Learn more about LunarTech Ensemble’s winning project   Best Use of Data Award: Storm Prophet Challenge: Develop the Oracle of DSCOVR Country/Territory: Ukraine Team “Storm Prophet” created a data model to accurately predict geomagnetic storm levels using data analysis and LSTM models. Learn more about Storm Prophet’s winning project   Best Use of Technology Award: Spacebee Challenge: Make a Moonquake Map 2.0! Country/Territory: United States and Argentina (Universal Event) This team developed a website that integrates moonquake data collected by seismometers deployed on Apollo missions, including the moonquake locations, type of moonquake, and date and data plots based on ALSEP Apollo experiments data. Learn more about Spacebee’s winning project   Galactic Impact Award: Greetings from Earth!! Challenge: Ocean Gardens Country/Territory: Brazil This team developed an interactive website that provides a visualization of NASA data that allows the user to visualize oceans not merely as vast expanses of water, but as the gardens of our planet, regulating climate and nurturing diverse life forms. Learn more about Greetings from Earth!!’s winning project   Best Mission Concept Award: ASTROGENESIS Challenge: Planetary Tourism Office Country/Territory: Peru This team created an interactive platform that allows you to explore the cosmos by creating personalized itineraries to visit planets, moons, and other celestial destinations. Learn more about ASTROGENESIS’s winning project   Most Inspirational Award: Space Quest Maidens – Donzelas da Missao Espacial Challenge: Eclipses: Perspective is Everything Country/Territory: Brazil This team developed an interactive educational tool called ECLIPSE: CELESTIAL SHADOWS to teach children about the mechanics of eclipses. Learn more about Space Quest Maidens – Donzelas da Missão Espacials winning project   Best Storytelling Award: TeamVoyagers Challenge: Everything Starts with Water Country/Territory: Bangladesh Team Voyagers built an interactive web-based game that tells the imperative story of the complexities of the water cycle, as well as the urgent need to understand the climate’s impact on freshwater resources. Learn more about Team Voyagers’ winning project   Global Connection Award: Arcobaleno Challenge: Immersed in the Sounds of Space Country/Territory: Brazil Team Arcoboleno created a method that transforms 2D and 3D images into a sensory experience. Their project aims to provide people with sight impairments a way to connect with the world and explore the cosmos through the sonification of NASA open data. Learn more about Arcobaleno’s winning project   Art & Technology Award: Oogway Comics Challenge: Habitable Exoplanets: Creating Worlds Beyond Our Own Country/Territory: Tajikistan Oogway Comics used NASA data to conceptualize an exoplanet suitable for life and developed a comic book to tell the planet’s story. Learn more about Oogway Comics’ winning project   Local Impact Award: $quality_over_quantity Challenge: Explore a Biodiversity Hotspot with Imaging Spectroscopy Country/Territory: Taiwan This team developed a method to explore local biodiversity hotspots and prioritize protection of areas with more efficiency. Learn more about $quality_over_quantitys’ winning project     You can watch the Global Winners Announcement HERE.   Interested in participating in the 2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge? Mark your calendars for Oct. 5 and 6!   Registration will open later this year. At that time, participants will be able to register for a Local Event hosted by NASA Space Apps Local Leads around the world.   Space Apps is funded by NASA’s Earth Science Division through a contract with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub, and SecondMuse.

NASA Space Apps News

Registration Opens for the 2024 NASA International Space Apps Challenge

NASA invites a global community of innovators, technologists, storytellers, and problem solvers to register for the 2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge, the largest annual global hackathon. The annual event,  held this year on October 5-6, fosters innovation through international collaboration by providing an opportunity for participants to utilize NASA’s free and open data and space-based data from space agency partners. “It takes a variety of skills and perspectives to launch a mission into space, and NASA’s Space Apps Challenge brings people together across cultures and borders toward solving real world problems on Earth and in space,” said Nicky Fox, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “I am excited that this year’s NASA Space Apps Challenge participants will join in our global Heliophysics Big Year celebration. I look forward to seeing all the innovative ideas that our future generation puts forth.” This year, the NASA Space Apps Challenge welcomes 15 international space agency partners, including two new agencies: the Communications, Space & Technology Commission of Saudi Arabia and the Spanish Space Agency. NASA Space Apps also welcomes back the Australian Space Agency, Brazilian Space Agency, Canadian Space Agency, European Space Agency, Indian Space Research Organization, Italian Space Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Mexican Space Agency, National Space Activities Commission of Argentina, National Space Science Agency of Bahrain, Paraguayan Space Agency, South African National Space Agency, and the Turkish Space Agency.   During the NASA Space Apps Challenge, participants around the world gather at hundreds of simultaneous in-person and virtual local events to address challenges submitted by subject matter experts across NASA divisions. These challenges range in complexity and topic, tasking participants with everything from creating artistic visualizations of NASA data to conceptualizing and developing informational apps and software programs. In keeping with this year’s theme, “The Sun Touches Everything,” NASA Space Apps invites participants to consider the far-reaching influence of the Sun on Earth and space science. The theme connects participants with NASA’s Heliophysics Division’s celebration of the Helio Big Year. After the hackathon, project submissions are judged by space agency experts. Winners are selected for one of 10 global awards and invited to an in-person celebration with NASA leadership and subject matter experts. NASA Space Apps is funded by NASA’s Earth Science Division through a contract with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub, and SecondMuse. The theme for the 2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge is funded by NASA Heliophysics Division. We invite you to register for the 2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge and choose a virtual or in-person local event near you at:  spaceappschallenge.org Stay up to date with #SpaceApps by following these accounts: X: @SpaceApps Instagram: @nasa_spaceapps Facebook: @spaceappschallenge YouTube: @NASASpaceAppsChallenge

News

NASA Ends VIPER Project, Continues Moon Exploration

Following a comprehensive internal review, NASA announced Wednesday its intent to discontinue development of its VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) project. NASA stated cost increases, delays to the launch date, and the risks of future cost growth as the reasons to stand down on the mission. The rover was originally planned to launch in late 2023, but in 2022, NASA requested a launch delay to late 2024 to provide more time for preflight testing of the Astrobotic lander. Since that time, additional schedule and supply chain delays pushed VIPER’s readiness date to September 2025, and independently its CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) launch aboard Astrobotic’s Griffin lander also has been delayed to a similar time. Continuation of VIPER would result in an increased cost that threatens cancellation or disruption to other CLPS missions. NASA has notified Congress of the agency’s intent. “We are committed to studying and exploring the Moon for the benefit of humanity through the CLPS program,” said Nicola Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington. “The agency has an array of missions planned to look for ice and other resources on the Moon over the next five years. Our path forward will make maximum use of the technology and work that went into VIPER, while preserving critical funds to support our robust lunar portfolio.” Moving forward, NASA is planning to disassemble and reuse VIPER’s instruments and components for future Moon missions. Prior to disassembly, NASA will consider expressions of interest from U.S. industry and international partners by Thursday, Aug. 1, for use of the existing VIPER rover system at no cost to the government. Interested parties should contact HQ-CLPS-Payload@mail.nasa.gov after 10 a.m. EDT on Thursday, July 18. The project will conduct an orderly close out through spring 2025. Astrobotic will continue its Griffin Mission One within its contract with NASA, working toward a launch scheduled for no earlier than fall 2025. The landing without VIPER will provide a flight demonstration of the Griffin lander and its engines. NASA will pursue alternative methods to accomplish many of VIPER’s goals and verify the presence of ice at the lunar South Pole. A future CLPS delivery – the Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1 (PRIME-1) — scheduled to land at the South Pole during the fourth quarter of 2024, will search for water ice and carry out a resource utilization demonstration using a drill and mass spectrometer to measure the volatile content of subsurface materials. Additionally, future instruments as part of NASA’s crewed missions – for example, the Lunar Terrain Vehicle — will allow for mobile observations of volatiles across the south polar region, as well as provide access for astronauts to the Moon’s permanently shadowed regions for dedicated sample return campaigns. The agency will also use copies of three of VIPER’s four instruments for future Moon landings on separate flights. The VIPER rover was designed to search Earth’s Moon for ice and other potential resources – in support of NASA’s commitment to study the Moon and help unravel some of the greatest mysteries of our solar system. Through NASA’s lunar initiatives, including Artemis human missions and CLPS, NASA is exploring more of the Moon than ever before using highly trained astronauts, advanced robotics, U.S. commercial providers, and international partners. For more information about VIPER, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/viper

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