A nuclear power source is planned for operation in shaded craters and during long lunar nights. This will allow the spacecraft to explore areas where ice deposits may be hidden and collect data for the creation of future lunar bases, Kazinform reports.

Technical Equipment and Mission Capabilities

The six-wheeled PROMISE spacecraft will be equipped with a suite of scientific instruments: spectrometers, cameras, radiation sensors, and temperature sensors. A key tool will be a drill designed to collect soil samples from a depth of approximately one meter. During design development, engineers plan to utilize engineering samples and components already used in the Perseverance and Curiosity Mars rovers.

Vehicle Specifications

18months mission duration
1meter drilling depth
6wheels on the rover

Project Cost and Implementation

Mission management and development are assigned to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Blue Origin is responsible for transporting the spacecraft to the Moon using the Mark 1 lander. According to the contract terms, the base amount is $94 million, with an additional $140 million provided depending on the project outcomes.

Context

NASA is the American space agency founded in 1958, headquartered in Washington. This expedition is part of a global strategy to prepare infrastructure for long-term human presence on the lunar surface.