NASA Is Handing Out ‘Boarding Passes’ To The Public For Upcoming Lunar Mission
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NASA is inviting earthlings to hitch a ride to the moon by sending their names aboard the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER).
As VIPER prepares for its groundbreaking journey to the lunar South Pole, names collected from around the globe will be digitally etched onto the rover in the Send Your Name with VIPER initiative, offering everyone a chance to be part of this historic mission.
The rover is embarking on an ambitious quest to uncover the secrets of lunar water and provide insights into the moon’s environment, laying the groundwork for NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to land the first woman and the first person of color on the moon.
Image via NASA/Daniel Rutter
Launching aboard a Falcon Heavy rocket in late 2024 as part of Astrobotic’s Griffin Mission One, VIPER is set to explore uncharted lunar territories, delving into regions that hold the promise of groundbreaking discoveries.
Individuals can sign up on NASA’s website by March 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET (8 p.m. PT) to have their names included with VIPER. Upon registration, participants will receive a virtual souvenir—a personalized boarding pass to the VIPER mission. The agency encourages space enthusiasts to share their cosmic tickets on social media using the hashtag #SendYourName.
“With VIPER, we are going to study and explore parts of the Moon’s surface no one has ever been to before—and with this campaign, we are inviting the world to be part of that risky yet rewarding journey,” explains Nicola Fox, associate administrator and Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
“Just think: Our names will ride along as VIPER navigates across the rugged terrain of the lunar South Pole and gathers valuable data that will help us better understand the history of the Moon and the environment where we plan to send Artemis astronauts.”
Daniel Andrews, VIPER’s project manager at NASA’s Ames Research Center, emphasizes the transformative nature of the mission: “It’s the first mission of its kind, expanding our understanding of where lunar resources could be harvested to support a long-term human presence on the Moon.”
As VIPER gears up to roam the rugged lunar South Pole, it will carry with it the names and dreams of thousands, etching a new chapter in space exploration history.
