Intuitive Machines Gathers Coalition to Rescue NASA’s VIPER Mission

Intuitive Machines is stepping forward to potentially save NASA’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission from cancellation.

The company, known for its lunar lander technology, revealed plans during an August 13 earnings call to organize a coalition of organizations to respond to NASA’s recent Request for Information (RFI) regarding the VIPER mission. The mission, which was on the brink of cancellation, might now find a new path forward through commercial avenues.

NASA's VIPER Mission

VIPER, a lunar rover designed to explore the moon’s south pole and prospect for water ice, was slated to be a crucial element of NASA's Artemis program.

However, in July 2024, NASA announced plans to cancel the mission, citing budget constraints, with the agency estimating a cost-saving of at least $84 million.

The rover, which is currently completed and undergoing environmental testing, was to be the most advanced robotic explorer sent to the lunar surface.

Intuitive Machines' Initiative

Intuitive Machines, under the leadership of CEO Steve Altemus, has expressed keen interest in rescuing VIPER.

“Our position there is that VIPER science is important to lunar scientists and the future of the Artemis program, and it’s very important in terms of prospecting for volatiles and entrained water ice in the soil,” - Steve Altemus, Intuitive Machines CEO

The company is assembling a coalition that includes other aerospace companies, universities, and international partners, although no specific names have been confirmed.

The Financial and Logistical Challenge

NASA’s RFI, issued on August 9, outlines that any prospective partner would need to cover the costs associated with final testing, launching, and operating the rover on the lunar surface. This marks a significant shift from NASA’s traditional mission management approach, transferring both financial and operational responsibilities to private entities or consortia.

Altemus downplayed NASA’s projected $84 million savings from canceling VIPER, suggesting that the actual costs for a commercial entity to complete and deploy the rover would be significantly less.

“I don’t think that the $84 million budget left to go is actually real in terms of what we would do commercially,” - Steve Altemus, Intuitive Machines CEO

Intuitive Machines plans to utilize its Nova-D lander, a larger variant still in development, to transport VIPER to the lunar surface. This lander is capable of carrying up to 1,500 kilograms of payload, providing an opportunity to offset mission costs by selling excess payload capacity.

“That gives us about 1,000 kilograms of extra payload space to improve the economics. If we can monetize that 1,000 kilograms, that will offset any costs for flying the mission commercially,” - Steve Altemus, Intuitive Machines CEO

Timeline and Future Prospects

Responses to NASA’s RFI are due by September 2, 2024. While NASA has not specified a timeline for the next steps, Intuitive Machines anticipates a response later in September.

Should Intuitive Machines succeed in securing the mission, the VIPER rover could be launched by late 2027, a significant delay from the original September 2025 launch date.

In parallel with the VIPER initiative, Intuitive Machines is advancing its other lunar missions, including IM-2 and IM-3, both under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. These missions are critical for the company’s revenue, with the IM-2 mission expected to launch by December 2024 or early January 2025, and IM-3 following in late 2025.

Financial Performance and Future Opportunities

During the earnings call, Intuitive Machines reported a significant increase in revenue for the second quarter of 2024, totaling $41.4 million, more than doubling the $18 million reported in the same period in 2023. However, the company also experienced increased operating losses, attributed to “non-cash impacts” from modifications to its upcoming lunar lander missions.

The company is optimistic about securing additional contracts, including a forthcoming CLPS task order and awards under NASA’s Near Space Network Services (NSNS) program, which could further bolster its financial position.