WASHINGTON / RankWire.AI / – NASA has provided an update on the progress of its crewed and robotic lunar rovers, highlighting their role in laying the groundwork for a sustained presence on the Moon. The agency published a Moon Base video update on Tuesday, October 20, which details both scientific robotic rovers and transport vehicles designed for astronauts. Robert Pickle, who oversees the Surface Mobility Office within the Moon Base Program, emphasized that lunar rovers are integral to NASA’s surface mobility approach.
The Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, known as VIPER, is slated to reach the Moon’s South Pole region in 2027. Its mission will involve examining permanently shadowed craters to seek water and other vital resources for future lunar inhabitants. A Blue Origin Blue Moon Mark 1 lander will be responsible for delivering VIPER to the lunar surface. The rover is projected to travel over 30 kilometers, collecting data on temperature, sunlight, and terrain features.
Currently, VIPER is fully assembled at Johnson Space Center in Houston and is undergoing final testing phases. Afterward, it will be transported to Kennedy Space Center in Florida for launch. During its planned 100-day operation, engineers at Ames Research Center in California will oversee VIPER’s activities. In September 2025, Blue Origin secured the delivery contract through a Commercial Lunar Payload Services task order valued at up to $190 million.
Astrolab and Lunar Outpost develop crew transportation vehicles
NASA has issued task orders to Astrolab and Lunar Outpost aimed at creating lunar terrain vehicles capable of transporting astronauts, moving equipment, and collecting samples. Astrolab is working on its CLV-1, which has been adapted from the company’s FLEX platform. Meanwhile, Lunar Outpost is developing Pegasus, a lighter version of its Eagle rover that can seat two astronauts. Both companies are aiming to deliver operational vehicles to NASA by the end of 2027, with Blue Origin holding a task order to land these vehicles at the South Pole by 2028.
These vehicles will be stationed on the Moon prior to the arrival of crewed Artemis missions. Earth-based controllers will be able to operate them remotely, allowing for daily travel distances of up to 6 kilometers for surface mapping. A single battery charge will facilitate trips of up to 10 kilometers. Each rover is designed to support as many as three moonwalks per Artemis mission and can carry as much as 80 kilograms of samples and tools. They are built to withstand temperatures as low as minus 203 degrees Celsius in permanently shadowed zones.
Prototyping and early missions progress
Lunar Outpost has scheduled its preliminary design review for October, while Astrolab anticipates completing its review by the end of December. Astrolab has already delivered a CLV-1 mockup to Axiom Space for astronaut evaluation. Additionally, Lunar Outpost has constructed two mockups and has sent a third static version to Johnson Space Center. Astrolab’s FLIP rover is set to fly aboard Griffin Mission One in late 2026, with a second Lunar Outpost MAPP rover expected to launch in early 2027.
This rover development effort follows NASA’s return to crewed lunar missions with the Artemis II mission scheduled for April. Blue Origin intends to launch its Blue Moon landers on the New Glenn rocket. According to NASA, these terrain vehicles will enable astronauts to reach geologically diverse regions of the Moon. The agency plans to utilize VIPER’s data to identify suitable locations for future water ice extraction. Collectively, these robotic and crewed lunar vehicles aim to support a sustainable human presence at the lunar South Pole.