After spending $450mn on lunar exploration mission, NASA abruptly cancels it

The quest for water (or ice) on the Moon is significantfor scientists around the world. It's because the water can be harnessed as potential fuel for future space exploration missions, with the Moon effectively hosting a fuel station for spacecraft. Taking this idea forward, Americanspace agency NASA launched its Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission, which aimed to map ice on the south pole of the Moon and then drill it out on the surface. Now, as per reports, NASA on Wednesday (Jul 17) scrapped the project citing cost and delay concerns.

$450 million already spent

The decision comes even as the space agency has already spent a whopping $450 million on the project. A rover, that the agency planned to use in the mission, has already been assembled and the construction of the lander was in the works. Now, NASA says it's looking for potential buyers for that rover, which can be used in lunar exploration missions.

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Nicola Fox, associate administrator for NASA’s science mission directorate, said it was a "tough decision."

“This has been a really tough decision, which we make in an uncertain budget environment,” Fox said. “But we do believe that this is a way for us to continue to support the entire CLPS portfolio.”

Why has the project been cancelled?

The United StatesCongress had allocated $433.5 million for the VIPER project. The mission's objective was to land the rover on the lunar surface by the end of 2023. But, new estimates suggested the mission will require $176 million more and would only be ready for launch by late 2025.

NASA was not ready for this budget increase, amidst the agency's increased focus on the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) programme, where it plans to join forces with private players to transport scientific equipment to space.

NASA's quest for water on the Moon still ON'

Despite the closure of the VIPER project, NASA isn't going to put a halt to its ongoing search for water on the Moon.

“Despite what’s happening with VIPER, we are committed to continuing to study the Moon and to look for water and ice in all of our future missions,” Fox said during the 17 July announcement.

(With inputs from agencies)