NASA’s cancellation of VIPER cedes leadership in lunar exploration 

Two months ago, NASA cancelled VIPER, a science rover mission to the moon’s south pole to explore for water ice. This decision was made despite the fact that the rover is fully built and has completed final testing. As professional lunar scientists and engineers unaffiliated with VIPER, we maintain that the cancellation is a mistake. It indicates that NASA is not serious about sustainable space exploration through Artemis, its return to the moon program, and that the United States is willing to let China become the world leaders in lunar science, exploration and resources.