What future robotic missions will help us prepare to go to the Moon?

Before and during Artemis missions I, II, and III, several robotic missions will go to the Moon to help NASA prepare for human landings.

VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover): This rover, about the size of a golf cart, will study the lunar soil. It will explore the permanently shadowed regions at the South Pole to find out how much water is there.

CAPSTONE (Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment) CubeSat: CAPSTONE is a small satellite like a microwave in size. It will travel to the Moon to test NASA’s navigation models for the Gateway’s orbit, which has never been tried before.

PPE (Power and Propulsion Element) and HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost): These are essential parts of the Gateway and will be sent to the Moon first. PPE has solar panels to power the outpost and a propulsion system for navigation. HALO is a pressurized capsule where astronauts can live and work.

Read more about upcoming rover missions to the Moon!NASA’s Trio of Mini Rovers Will Team up to Explore the Moon

Take a tour of VIPER’s South Pole landing site:

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