NASA is selling a brand-new Moon rover

NASA is selling its moon rover, Viper, before it even gets to the lunar surface. The space agency's mobile drilling rig, designed to hunt for water ice at the moon's south pole, is up for grabs.

NASA started the Viper project with a $250 million budget. But costs have shot up to $433 million, and the agency can't keep footing the bill. So, they've decided to put the nearly finished rover on the market.

The lunar lander is in its final testing and calibration stages. NASA's looking for a buyer who'll finish the job, land Viper on the moon, complete its original mission, and share the data they collect.

The space agency hopes to attract wealthy and ambitious companies with this unique opportunity. They're banking on someone with deep pockets and a passion for space exploration to step up.

Three years ago, NASA released a video showcasing Viper's ambitious plans. While those plans have changed, the rover's potential remains high. It's designed to probe the moon's south pole for water ice, a crucial resource for future lunar missions.

The Economist reports that NASA's decision to sell Viper comes as a surprise to many in the space community. It's not often that a nearly completed spacecraft goes on sale before reaching its destination.

Source: The Economist