The site, to be explored in 2023, is the western edge of the Nobile Crater near the Moon’s South Pole.
The region features areas permanently covered in shadow as well as areas that are bathed in sunlight most of the time. NASA has decided the terrain in the area is the most suitable for the rover to navigate, communicate, and characterise potential water and other resources.
“Once on the lunar surface, VIPER will provide ground truth measurements for the presence of water and other resources at the Moon’s South Pole, and the areas surrounding Nobile Crater showed the most promise in this scientific pursuit” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for science at NASA Headquarters.
