NASA may send a backup, nuclear-powered Mars rover to the Moon

NASA officials have announced that they are exploring the ambitious option of deploying the full-scale engineering model of the Perseverance rover to the Moon. Currently located at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, this rover, affectionately named "Promise," is designed to support Mars exploration but is being considered for lunar missions to enhance the investigation of the Moon's south pole region. "Promise," a car-sized rover, was not intended for an actual launch. However, it would be equipped with a multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator (MMRTG) for power, enabling it to navigate challenging terrain and endure the harsh lunar night. In contrast to NASA’s other rovers, which primarily rely on solar energy, this nuclear-powered option could significantly extend operational capabilities. During a recent update on the agency's lunar base initiatives, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman expressed enthusiasm for the idea of sending Promise to the Moon. "We are seriously considering this option," he stated, highlighting the potential it has to bolster their lunar exploration efforts. NASA has an available MMRTG and a stockpile of Plutonium-238, which is gradually decaying. Given its size—approximately one ton—Promise would likely be transported by either Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander or SpaceX’s Starship. Isaacman and Carlos García-Galán, who is also leading the Moon base project, conveyed their excitement about utilizing existing technology to enhance lunar exploration capabilities. García-Galán remarked, "This would provide an incredible advantage. With a nuclear RTG, we could operate anywhere on the Moon without concern for sunlight, enabling us to tackle the challenges posed by the lunar night. This capability would allow us to explore hard-to-reach areas, similar to the experiences of Curiosity and Perseverance on Mars." Throughout its development, Promise has been instrumental in testing potential challenges that Perseverance may face on Mars. It serves as a vital testbed, where commands are trialed in the "Mars yard" at the California facility before being executed on Mars, ensuring that Perseverance can safely navigate diverse Martian landscapes.