As NASA gears up for its next moon mission, it has unveiled PROMISE, a new rover intended for a lunar base.
The Polar Observing, Mapping, and Field Exploration Vehicle (PROMISE) is a twin of the Mars rover Perseverance, which successfully landed on Mars in February 2021. Since then, Perseverance has been tirelessly exploring the Red Planet, conducting vital research and collecting samples on behalf of NASA.
PROMISE was initially designed as an engineering model to test and troubleshoot protocols prior to their application to the actual Mars rover.
Previously known as OPTIMISM (Operational Sustainability Twin for Integration of Mechanisms and Instruments Sent to Mars), the rover has been renamed to align with its upcoming lunar mission.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMXmYm6bj-Y" title="NASA PROMISE Rover Video
NASA is considering sending the PROMISE rover to the Moon to explore the lunar south pole, assess surface and subsurface features, and develop resource options. Engineers believe that, despite its initial design for Mars, PROMISE can be modified for effective use on the Moon.
Alongside this announcement, NASA has also revealed new contracts with three aerospace companies to build four lunar landers slated for launch by the end of 2028.
In total, NASA aims to send 17 landers to the Moon as part of its lunar base program over the coming years.
This initiative will lay the groundwork for the Artemis mission, which aspires to return humans to the Moon. Additionally, NASA plans to establish a lunar base by 2030.
The lunar base will facilitate long-term exploration and provide essential infrastructure to support sustained human presence and activities on the lunar surface.
Read more:
Source: www.sciencefocus.com