FLIP (rover)

FLIP
Mission typeLunar rover
OperatorNASA
Websitehttps://www.astrolab.space/flip-rover/
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerAstrolab
Launch mass500 kg (1,100 lb)
Payload mass30 kg (66 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date7 December 2018, 18:23 UTC
RocketFalcon Heavy
Launch siteLC-39A, Kennedy Space Center
ContractorSpaceX

FLIP (FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform) is a planned 500 kg (1,100 lb) lunar rover capable of carrying 30 kg (66 lb) of scientific payloads, manufactured by Astrolab for NASA's CLPS programme. The rover has been designed as a precursor to Astrolab's FLEX (Flexible Logistics and Exploration) rover platform.

History

After the initial cancellation of NASA's VIPER mission on Astrobotic's Griffin mission One in early 2024, Astrolab seized the opportunity to reach the lunar surface by developing the FLIP rover . This was conceived as a demonstration platform to gather essential data on lunar dust mitigation and surface operations, informing the design and functionality of future lunar logistics platforms and prove critical subsystems such as avionics, autonomous navigation, and power systems for the larger FLEX rover. In August 2025 Interlune indicated the FLIP rover would carry a multispectral camera they designed to search for helium-3 on the Moon. FLIP will also carry a computer payload furnished by HPE. In December 2025 Florida Media Now announced a delay of FLIP, which was in, "thermal-vac and integrated functional tests." On October 16, 2026 Astrolab reported FLIP had completed testing.

Launch

FLIP is to launch as a CLPS payload on the Griffin Mission One. It is currently scheduled for launch by late 2026 or early 2027.

See Also

References

  1. ↑ "CNSA". China National Space Administration (in Chinese (China)). Archived from the original on 10 December 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  2. ↑ Foust, Jeff (5 February 2025). "Astrolab to fly its FLIP lunar rover on Astrobotic's Griffin-1 lander". SpaceNews. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
  3. ↑ "Astrolab's FLIP rover joins Astrobotic's Griffin-1 to the Moon – Astrolab". www.astrolab.space. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
  4. ↑ Berger, Eric (5 February 2025). "After a wrenching decision by NASA, private lunar lander finds a new customer". Ars Technica. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
  5. ↑ Chang, Kenneth (5 February 2025). "NASA Gave Up a Ride to the Moon. This Startup's Rover Took It". The New York Times.
  6. ↑ "After a wrenching decision by NASA, private lunar lander finds a new customer". 5 February 2025.
  7. ↑ "Interlune will team up with Astrolab to send a camera to the moon for helium-3 survey". 5 August 2025.
  8. ↑ https://www.hpe.com/us/en/newsroom/press-release/2026/10/hpe-spaceborne-computer-to-power-high-performance-computing-and-ai-on-the-moon.html
  9. ↑ "Astrobotic Delays Moon Mission Until Next Year". 24 October 2025.
  10. ↑ https://x.com/Astrolab_Space/status/2111160129814945890
  11. ↑ "NASA Provides Progress Update on Moon Base Rovers - NASA". 20 October 2026. Retrieved 8 November 2026.