tech
NASA may send a backup, nuclear-powered Mars rover to the Moon
NASA officials said Tuesday that they are seriously considering sending the full-scale engineering model of the Perseverance rover, which is currently housed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, to the Moon to expedite their efforts to explore the south pole region.
TL;DR
- NASA is considering sending the Perseverance rover's engineering model, 'Promise,' to the Moon.
- The rover would be nuclear-powered by an MMRTG, allowing exploration in shadowed areas and through the lunar night.
- This capability would expedite efforts to explore the lunar south pole region.
- The 'Promise' rover has served as a testbed for Perseverance on Mars but may no longer be needed for that purpose.
- Potential delivery methods include Blue Origin's Blue Moon lander or SpaceX's Starship.
- Modifications would be needed for the rover and its scientific instruments to operate on the Moon.
- The decision is not final, and NASA is assessing feasibility while accelerating lunar exploration plans.