Timeline
The process of proposing, developing, building, and integrating instruments to send to the surface of the Moon is a multiyear operation. All the major milestones are outlined below. Gold events are completed by the Lunar-VISE team. Blue events are controlled by the mission’s CLPS provider.
Lunar-VISE was ONE of TWO missions selected through the NASA’s second call of the Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon (PRISM) program.
NASA’s Exploration Science Strategy and Integration Office (ESSIO) approved the landing site on Mons Gruithuisen Gamma selected by the Lunar-VISE team. The Lunar-VISE team worked for several months identifying sites of scientific interest, mapping potential hazards and traverse areas before selecting the landing site and outlining a notional mission scenario.
The CDR consists of a presentation to an independent assessment team (IAT) and NASA on the design and current status of the Lunar-VISE instruments and how they will successfully meet our mission objectives. A CDR informs NASA of the technical risks and the program’s readiness to proceed into fabrication, system integration, demonstration and test. The team passed CDR with the IAT giving several Requests for Action (RFAs) to address outstanding issues.
NASA selected Firefly Aerospace as the lander and rover provider to deliver the CP-21 mission. This selection is based on proposals submitted in response to a request for proposals.
Image Credit: Firefly Aerospace
The SIR is a final check to ensure the Lunar-VISE instruments are ready to be integrated onto the lunar lander and rover. This check determines if they’re acceptable for their intended operations, including design, reliability, safety, and functionality across all components.
Image credit: BAE Systems