Astrolab’s FLIP Rover Joins Astrobotic’s Griffin-1 for Lunar Mission

Venturi Astrolab (Astrolab) and Astrobotic have officially announced a collaboration to deliver Astrolab’s innovative FLIP rover (FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform) to the Moon aboard Astrobotic’s Griffin lander.

The mission, known as Griffin Mission One (Griffin-1), will deploy FLIP in the Nobile Region of the lunar south pole. Scheduled for late 2025, the mission represents a critical step forward for lunar exploration, technology demonstrations, and future commercial missions.

The Loss of VIPER

Griffin Mission One initially planned to carry NASA’s VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) payload as part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. However, following NASA’s decision to discontinue the VIPER project due to budget and schedule risks, Astrobotic adapted its mission to showcase the Griffin lander’s capabilities with a similar mass payload—this time, Astrolab’s FLIP rover.

Astrobotic’s ability to quickly pivot after NASA’s decision to cancel VIPER has drawn praise from government leaders.

“Losing VIPER could’ve been a setback, but Astrobotic didn’t let up. They rolled up their sleeves, found a new way forward, and ensured this mission stayed on track. With Astrolab’s FLIP rover onboard, we’re showing the world that when challenges come our way, we double down...“This is how we lead—not by playing it safe, but by pushing forward with the technology that’ll shape the future of exploration. I couldn’t be prouder that Pennsylvania’s Astrobotic is making sure America stays first in line to the lunar south pole.” - U.S. Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania

A New Partnership for Lunar Exploration

Astrobotic’s expertise in lunar transport, mobility, and power, coupled with Astrolab’s adaptive mobility innovations, positions the mission as a major step in achieving practical, sustainable lunar operations.

“Astrobotic received worldwide interest from numerous organizations eager to fly aboard Griffin-1, and after a rigorous selection process, Astrolab emerged as the ideal partner. By deploying the FLIP rover, we’re advancing humanity’s future on the Moon and enabling groundbreaking U.S. technology demonstrations at the lunar south pole.” - John Thornton, CEO of Astrobotic

Advancing FLIP’s Lunar Technology Capabilities

Astrolab’s FLIP rover will demonstrate critical components and subsystems, many of which will be used on the company’s large-scale FLEX (Flexible Logistics and Exploration) rover, expected to land on the Moon in late 2026 through a separate mission with SpaceX.

“By joining Griffin Mission One, we will gather invaluable data on how our rovers, like FLIP and FLEX, perform in real lunar environments. This mission will help validate key technologies such as batteries, tires, avionics, sensors, and software.” - Jaret Matthews, Founder and CEO of Astrolab

FLIP will serve as a testing ground for critical technologies that can mitigate risks and enhance rover performance on future missions. For example, the mission will include tests of FLIP’s hyper-deformable airless tires and batteries, both developed in partnership with Venturi Space.

Additionally, FLIP will be outfitted with payloads designed to study the effects of lunar dust—a significant challenge for long-term lunar operations. These payloads will test protective coatings, dust-sealing strategies, and methods for mitigating dust accumulation on vital components such as solar panels and wheel actuators.

About Astrolab

Founded by a team of space industry veterans, including former NASA engineers, SpaceX alumni, and Jet Propulsion Laboratory experts, Astrolab focuses on designing and operating a fleet of multi-purpose rovers for lunar and planetary surface exploration. The company aims to establish a standard for lunar logistics, creating adaptive mobility solutions for scientific, commercial, and exploratory missions beyond Earth.

Astrolab’s flagship rover, FLEX, was introduced in 2022 and is designed for large-scale lunar logistics and exploration. In 2023, Astrolab secured an agreement with SpaceX to deliver the FLEX rover to the Moon aboard the Starship launch and landing system as early as December 2026. Astrolab also received a contract from NASA in 2024 to help develop the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV), which will support Artemis astronauts in exploring the Moon’s surface.

The company is headquartered in Hawthorne, California, and works closely with strategic partners like the Venturi Group.

About Astrobotic

Astrobotic is a key player in space exploration and technological innovation, with expertise in lunar mobility, navigation, and infrastructure development. Founded in 2007, Astrobotic’s achievements include being the first U.S. company to launch and operate a commercial lunar lander in space. The company’s portfolio includes two scheduled lunar missions and over 60 contracts with NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, and commercial clients, amounting to more than $600 million in contracts.

With its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a propulsion and test facility in Mojave, California, Astrobotic develops cutting-edge technologies such as reusable vertical takeoff and landing rockets and advanced rocket engines. By maintaining a strong focus on lunar exploration, Astrobotic aims to make the Moon more accessible and foster the growth of the commercial space economy.