NASA, the United States space agency, is extending an invitation for individuals to submit their names to be sent to the surface of the Moon aboard its inaugural robotic lunar rover, VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover). The Moon rover is set to launch atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket in late 2024. VIPER’s primary mission involves exploring for water ice and other resources in the vicinity of the moon’s south pole, which aligns with NASA’s intention to establish an additional crewed base in that region through the Artemis program.

The space agency noted in a blog post that as a component of the “Send Your Name with VIPER” initiative, names will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. EST on March 15. Subsequently, NASA will gather the submitted names and affix them to the lunar rover. The agency also provided a link to the website where individuals can participate in sending their names to the lunar surface.

Nicola Fox, the Associate Administrator of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, emphasized the significance of the moon mission, stating, “With VIPER, we are going to study and explore parts of the Moon’s surface no one has ever been to before – and with this campaign, we are inviting the world to be part of that risky yet rewarding journey.”

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“Just think: Our names will ride along as VIPER navigates across the rugged terrain of the lunar South Pole and gathers valuable data that will help us better understand the history of the Moon and the environment where we plan to send Artemis astronauts,” Mr Fox added.

As per the blog, NASA’s “Send Your Name with VIPER” website not only enables participants to submit their names but also provides the opportunity to create and download a virtual boarding pass as a keepsake of their participation in this historic mission.

Scheduled for a late 2024 deployment to the lunar surface, VIPER is a part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative under the Artemis program. The rover is set to undergo a roughly 100-day mission, aiming to collect essential data about lunar ice and potential resources.

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