NASA cancels VIPER rover plans as Astrobotic outlines lunar infrastructure vision

The U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology convened on April 3, 2025, to discuss NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative and its implications for lunar exploration. The meeting highlighted the importance of maintaining U.S. leadership in space science and the need for strategic partnerships to advance lunar missions.

The session began with a critical assessment of NASA's recent decision to cancel the VIPER rover project, which was intended to explore lunar ice. Experts expressed concern that without congressional action to restore funding, the U.S. risks losing its competitive edge in lunar exploration to countries like China, which is advancing its own lunar missions with the Chang'e program. The urgency for a clear and ambitious roadmap for future lunar missions was emphasized, as it is essential for maximizing NASA's investments and ensuring that commercial partners can effectively plan their contributions.

Following this, testimony from industry representatives underscored the significance of the moon as a strategic and economic frontier. Mr. Thornton from Astrobotic highlighted the success of the CLPS initiative, noting that it has enabled multiple American companies to launch lunar missions, fostering a new era of public-private partnerships. He pointed out that the program has already facilitated the launch of four spacecraft and has six more missions contracted, all achieved with a budget of less than $1.4 billion.

Thornton also discussed the potential for the next iteration of CLPS, suggesting that it could yield even greater benefits by allowing for bulk purchasing from U.S. suppliers, thereby reducing costs. He stressed the necessity of developing a reliable power infrastructure on the moon, which would be crucial for sustaining long-term missions. Astrobotic is working on a commercial lunar power grid, called LunarGrid, aimed at providing essential energy resources for future lunar operations.

The meeting concluded with a call for continued bipartisan support for NASA's initiatives, emphasizing that a robust lunar presence is vital for maintaining U.S. leadership in space. The committee members acknowledged the progress made through CLPS and the importance of strategic planning to ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of lunar exploration and scientific discovery.