NASA boss balks at billion-dollar estimate for recycled Moon rover
Turning two Mars testbeds into one lunar explorer may prove anything but cheap
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has expressed skepticism over a $723 million to $1.33 billion estimate for a recycled Moon rover mission, called PROMISE. The proposal aims to repurpose engineering models of successful Mars rovers Perseverance and Curiosity. While the concept could save costs, Isaacman stated that if the project proves anywhere near that expensive, NASA would not proceed.
The proposed rover, PROMISE, is intended to put a Moon rover into space at a fraction of the usual cost. However, converting engineering testbeds like OPTIMISM and MAGGIE into a Moon-bound vehicle would require significant modifications and adaptations for lunar conditions. Additionally, transferring these engineering models away from their active missions could present challenges.
Despite the savings potential, Isaacman emphasized that a mission costing even 20% of the low-end estimate would be too expensive for NASA to fund.
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