{"id":5951,"date":"2024-09-18T17:46:02","date_gmt":"2024-09-18T17:46:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/lunarvise\/?page_id=5951"},"modified":"2025-10-15T15:51:38","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T15:51:38","slug":"mission-timeline","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/lunarvise\/mission-timeline\/","title":{"rendered":"Mission Timeline"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t\t
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Timeline<\/h1>\n

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<\/span> events are completed by the Lunar-VISE team. Blue<\/span> events are controlled by the mission’s CLPS provider. <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tJump to Present Day\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n

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WE ARE HERE<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

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2022<\/span><\/div><\/div>
Jun 2022<\/div><\/div>
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Mission Selection<\/div>
\"Mission<\/a><\/div>

Lunar-VISE was ONE of TWO missions selected through the NASA\u2019s second call of the Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon (PRISM) program.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Oct 2022<\/div><\/div>
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Authorization to Proceed (ATP)<\/div>

The ATP enables the Lunar-VISE team to officially begin work on the mission, including a kickoff meeting with NASA.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

2023<\/span><\/div><\/div>
Jun 2023<\/div><\/div>
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Landing Site Selection<\/div>
\"Landing<\/a><\/div>

NASA\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Jul 2023<\/div><\/div>
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Technical Interchange Meeting (TIM)<\/div>

The TIM is the initial presentation to NASA about the planned design and current status for the Lunar-VISE instruments, science investigation, and concept of operations. Passing this allowed us to proceed with instrument design and development.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

2024<\/span><\/div><\/div>
Feb 2024<\/div><\/div>
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Critical Design Review (CDR)<\/div>
\"Lunar-VISE<\/a><\/div>

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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Mar 2024<\/div><\/div>
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Key Decision Point (KDP) Review<\/div>

The KDP is a review at which the readiness of the project is assessed to either progress to the next phase of the project life cycle (or to the next KDP) or to be terminated. The Lunar-VISE Program Manager, Program Scientist, and Project Scientist presented the results from the Lunar-VISE CDR and the IAT\u2019s findings. NASA ESSIO gave the approval to proceed forward with building the Lunar-VISE payload.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Dec 2024<\/div><\/div>
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Lander & Rover Selection<\/div>
\"Lander<\/a><\/div>

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.
\nImage Credit: Firefly Aerospace <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

2025<\/span><\/div><\/div>
Oct 2025<\/div><\/div>
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Instrument Build and Environmental Testing Activities<\/div>

Lunar-VISE instrument builds are being completed, and undergoing thermal, vacuum, and vibration testing.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

2026<\/span><\/div><\/div>
Feb 2026<\/div><\/div>
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System Integration and Acceptance Reviews (SIR)<\/div>
\"BAE<\/a><\/div>

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\u2019re acceptable for their intended operations, including design, reliability, safety, and functionality across all components.
\nImage credit: BAE Systems<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Feb 2026<\/div><\/div>
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Lunar-VISE Instruments Build Finalized<\/div>

The end of instrument development and testing for the Lunar-VISE payload.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Feb 2026<\/div><\/div>
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Instrument Storage<\/div>

Instruments will be put in storage at BAE Systems and Arizona State University until the lander and rover providers are ready for them.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Jun 2026<\/div><\/div>
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Lunar-VISE Instruments Delivered to Lander and Rover<\/div>

Instruments will be delivered to the CLPS provider for their integration on the lander and rover.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

2028<\/span><\/div><\/div>
Jun 2028<\/div><\/div>
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Mission Readiness Review (MRR)<\/div>

A full CP-21 mission readiness review, including Lunar-VISE and the other CP-21 payloads on the lander will be conducted. The MRR evaluates the readiness of the mission plan to successfully accomplish the science and exploration objectives. The MRR is expected to be held four to six weeks prior to launch.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Jul 2028<\/div><\/div>
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Estimated Mission Launch Date<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Aug 2028<\/div><\/div>
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Estimated Landing Date<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Aug 2028<\/div><\/div>
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Surface Mission<\/div>

Lunar-VISE instruments will take measurements over the course of approximately 10 Earth days (one lunar day).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

2029<\/span><\/div><\/div>
Mar 2029<\/div><\/div>
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Data Archival Complete<\/div>

After the mission, the data will be archived in the NASA Geosciences Planetary Data System (PDS) for the planetary science community to download and use.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t

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