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This Startup’s Rover Seized the Opportunity NASA Passed Up to go to the Moon.


A small startup named Venturi Astrolab Inc. has seized the opportunity to accelerate its lunar rover plans after NASA’s cancellation of VIPER. Despite the cancellation of NASA’s cargo, Astrobotic’s mission remains scheduled for later this year, and the company will still receive $323 million for the mission. Astrolab has booked space on Astrobotic’s lander, Griffin, to send their 1,000-pound rover called FLIP to the moon to test various technologies and study lunar dust particles.

Astrolab is also developing a larger rover named FLEX, which is too big for Astrobotic’s lander. However, Astrolab has booked a future flight of SpaceX’s Starship to send FLEX to the moon once it is ready. The company is confident in Astrobotic despite its past failure, as they see the collaboration as a way to reduce risk for their future missions.

While NASA is considering alternatives to continue the VIPER mission without additional investment, Astrobotic remains focused on delivering Griffin to the moon’s surface as agreed. Despite uncertainties about NASA’s changing priorities, both Astrobotic and Astrolab are prepared to pivot their plans if needed to stay aligned with the agency’s goals, whether on the moon or potentially on Mars in the future.

Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.

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