Join NASA’s Lunar Journey: Send Your Name to the Moon with VIPER!

NASA is extending a unique opportunity for people worldwide to become part of space exploration history. The agency’s upcoming robotic lunar rover, VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover), is set to embark on a mission to the Moon’s South Pole. As part of the “Send Your Name with VIPER” campaign, individuals can submit their names before March 15, 11:59 p.m. EST, to be attached to the rover.

To participate, visit NASA’s VIPER page, where you can not only register your name but also create and download a virtual souvenir—a boarding pass featuring your name for the VIPER mission. Share your involvement on social media using the hashtag #SendYourName.

VIPER’s mission is groundbreaking, aiming to explore uncharted areas of the lunar surface. Nicola Fox, associate administrator at NASA Headquarters, invites the world to join this daring journey, emphasizing that names submitted will travel with VIPER as it navigates the challenging lunar terrain. The data collected by VIPER will contribute to understanding the Moon’s history and aid in planning for future Artemis missions, including the first woman and person of color landing on the Moon.

Scheduled for late 2024, VIPER will reach the lunar surface through Astrobotic Technologies’ Griffin Mission One, launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy. Surviving extreme temperatures and challenging lighting conditions for approximately 100 days, VIPER will utilize solar panels and batteries to power its science instruments, providing crucial insights into lunar resources.

VIPER is a pivotal component of NASA’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative under the Artemis program. The mission is part of the Lunar Discovery and Exploration Program (LDEP), managed by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. While NASA Ames Research Center leads the mission’s science and operations, the rover hardware is crafted by NASA’s Johnson Space Center, with instruments provided by NASA Ames, Kennedy Space Center, and commercial partner Honeybee Robotics.

Don’t miss the chance to etch your name into lunar history—join the “Send Your Name with VIPER” campaign and be part of NASA’s quest to explore the unknown, inspiring the world through discovery.

For more details about VIPER, visit NASA’s VIPER page.