Testing NASA’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) in the Sand

Animation of NASA’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) on the floor of the Moon. Credit score: NASA Ames/Daniel Rutter

The check model of NASA’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, or VIPER, kicks up excessive sinkage sand-like materials whereas transiting NASA Glenn’s Simulated Lunar Operations Laboratory, or SLOPE mattress. In November 2021, the most recent check rover visited SLOPE to finish the subsequent iteration of mobility testing, a vital step towards guaranteeing the rover is prepared for its 2023 mission to the Moon’s South Pole to get a close-up view of the situation and focus of ice and different assets. 

The newest prototype of the rover, referred to as Moon Gravitation Consultant Unit 3, or MGRU3, has the identical wheel design and base measurement because the rover that can go to the Moon. It additionally has the flight design motors, gearboxes, and joints, in addition to the most recent model of the flight software program.

The check model of NASA’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, or VIPER, kicks up excessive sinkage sand-like materials whereas transiting NASA Glenn’s Simulated Lunar Operations Laboratory, or SLOPE mattress. Credit score: Jef Janis, NASA Glenn Analysis Heart

This check was the third mobility evaluation performed by VIPER at SLOPE to gather vital information on the software program mobility controls, the onboard navigation system, and mobility efficiency over hazards and on free soil. For over two weeks, the workforce used the ability’s distinctive capabilities to drive MGRU3 over numerous obstacles and up steep slopes. The info collected at Glenn, together with a concurrent wheel-only check on the ProtoInnovations lab in Pittsburgh, will assist inform the rover operations and science groups on route planning.

Later this spring, but an much more flight-like rover will return to SLOPE for verification and validation testing. It's similar to the ultimate examination the place the rover might want to show it’s able to assembly design necessities with its hardware, software program, and electronics.  

VIPER shall be delivered to the floor of the Moon in late 2023 by Astrobotic’s Griffin lander as a part of NASA’s Industrial Lunar Payload Providers initiative.